DK805 Podcast

This episode centers on shifting from crisis-only advocacy to a healing-forward phase under the theme “love remains,” while continuing fentanyl awareness and stigma reduction. Due to severe weather the hosts recorded remotely, sharing status updates on personal grief journeys, court proceedings, and ongoing community support efforts.

The DK805 podcast team is recommitting at the start of 2026 to speaking more openly and boldly about grief, the fentanyl crisis, and stigma. The project’s core purpose is to create a compassionate space for families, advocate for accountability and reform, and share practical support pathways, while acknowledging the lifelong nature of grief and the need for community.

Natalie and Krissy return for part 2 of the series. This episode centers on aligning the podcast’s recovery-focused content pipeline, partnerships, and community outreach. The discussion surfaces lived-experience narratives, accessible treatment pathways (including scholarships), and audience-resonant themes such as readiness, compassionate care, faith, grief, and music as healing.

Hosts Kristi and Katrina invite guests Natalie and Krissy for part 1 of the series. Natalie is a recovery advocate who lost her brother to an overdose around his 30th birthday, and was also an addict herself and is 5 years clean. She treatment at 19, and attended treatment 8–10 times with multiple relapses before achieving stability. Krissy is in recovery for alcoholism and is the founder of the "Love is Free Foundation" (loveisfreefoundation.com), which was co-conceived by Krissy and her son Dom as a homeless outreach service rooted in recovery-related service. Krissy lost her son Dom to a fentanyl overdose.

In this episode Kristi and Katrina talk about coping mechanisms and parental approaches to supporting children struggling with addiction, particularly in the context of the fentanyl crisis. They reflect on experiences with “tough love” versus compassionate, boundary-based support, the unpredictable nature of addiction and recovery, systemic gaps during the opioid epidemic, and the ongoing personal recovery and advocacy after the loss of their sons.

The hosts discuss navigating the holiday season while grieving the loss of loved ones, sharing personal experiences, coping strategies, and community support initiatives. The focus is on honoring loved ones, protecting emotional well-being, and aligning on upcoming activities and support efforts.

The discussion centers on authenticity in grieving and honoring loved ones who have passed, with an emphasis on finding “glimmers” (positive signs and memories) rather than being consumed by triggers.

This episode includes compounded grief experiences shared by Kristi and Katrina, focusing on coping strategies, changes in support systems over time, and reframing pain into purpose. Emphasis was placed on honoring loved ones, recognizing triggers, seeking support, and sustaining hope.

The hosts Kristi and Katrina discuss their journey toward recovery from grief, their mission to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl, and their desire to promote sobriety as a positive choice. They describe their recent experience visiting the Hopaholics podcast, which created a meaningful connection as both podcasts were born from similar tragic circumstances. They emphasize the importance of breaking stigmas around addiction and grief, supporting others in similar situations, and finding hope despite devastating loss. They also highlight the community of support they've found and their commitment to helping others through their shared experiences.

Hosts Katrina and Kristi discuss navigating grief while pursuing healing and advocacy, with a focus on court proceedings, accurate drug information, and community support.