Grieving Out Loud: A Mother Coping with Loss in the Opioid Epidemic

Opioid deaths started skyrocketing when the powerful prescription painkiller OxyContin hit the market. Purdue Pharma, the company behind the drug, has been found guilty of numerous charges. It is now featured in a new Netflix original, "Painkiller," highlighting the company’s pushy sales tactics. For some viewers, like today’s guest, the show hits a bit too close to home.

Steven May joined Purdue as an OxyContin sales rep back in 1999. At first, he believed in what he was selling, but that changed quickly, and he became a whistleblower. Today, Steven shares his behind-the-scenes experience at Purdue during a time when the company was making huge profits as opioid addiction rates were spiraling out of control.

The Emily’s Hope Substance Use Prevention Curriculum has been carefully designed to address growing concerns surrounding substance use and overdose in our communities. Our curriculum focuses on age-appropriate and evidence-based content that educates children about the risks of substance use while empowering them to make healthy choices. 

Support the show

For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Michael Geheren

Your life dreams may include starting a business, building a dream home, or nurturing a healthy marriage. But for many, like Sandra Radford, the deepest dream is raising children—a dream she fought to achieve through IVF. Despite the heartbreak of losing two of her triplets during pregnancy, Sandra’s joy was boundless when she welcomed her daughter into the world.

But life’s harshest trials lay ahead. Sandra’s world shattered when her cherished daughter fell into the grip of substance use disorder, ultimately losing her battle to a fatal overdose. The pain was compounded as Sandra faced her own struggle with addiction, plunging her into a darkness where the will to live seemed almost impossible to find.

Yet Sandra’s story is not just one of loss and despair. It is a testament to resilience, a reminder that even when life delivers its cruelest blows, there remains a spark of hope. Sandra refuses to be defined by her grief. Instead, she strives to inspire others, showing that no matter how deep the pain, we must continue to dream, to fight, and to live.

The Emily’s Hope Substance Use Prevention Curriculum has been carefully designed to address growing concerns surrounding substance use and overdose in our communities. Our curriculum focuses on age-appropriate and evidence-based content that educates children about the risks of substance use while empowering them to make healthy choices. 

Support the show

For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Michael Geheren

He’s one of the most notorious pill mill doctors: Dr. Paul Volkman. Sentenced to four consecutive life sentences for unlawfully prescribing pain medications that led to multiple deaths, his story is a shocking descent from a respected pediatrician and emergency room physician to a key figure in flooding southern Ohio with prescription drugs.

In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, we sit down with author Philip Eil, who spent nearly 15 years researching and writing about Volkman. His book, Prescription for Pain: How a Once-Promising Doctor Became the ‘Pill Mill Killer,' delves deep into Volkman’s transformation. Eil’s insights are drawn from interviews with Volkman himself, conversations with those affected by his crimes, and firsthand observations from Volkman’s courtroom sentencing. Tune in to hear his compelling perspective on the medical field’s role in the opioid epidemic.

The Emily’s Hope Substance Use Prevention Curriculum has been carefully designed to address growing concerns surrounding substance use and overdose in our communities. Our curriculum focuses on age-appropriate and evidence-based content that educates children about the risks of substance use while empowering them to make healthy choices. 

Support the show

For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Michael Geheren

She’s known for her Sideline Shimmy. ESPN sports broadcaster Lauren Sisler is a sideline reporter for college football and gymnastics. But behind the camera, Lauren hid a family secret for a decade. Both of her parents struggled with opioid use disorder after being prescribed painkillers by doctors—a disease that ultimately took her mom’s life, followed by her dad’s just five hours later.

Tune in to hear Sisler’s tragic story, how she navigated her grief, and why she’s decided to share her journey publicly. She has also authored a new book, “Shatterproof,” detailing her experience with grief, shock, and shame and offering a message of hope and resilience.

The Emily’s Hope Substance Use Prevention Curriculum has been carefully designed to address growing concerns surrounding substance use and overdose in our communities. Our curriculum focuses on age-appropriate and evidence-based content that educates children about the risks of substance use while empowering them to make healthy choices. 

Support the show

For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Michael Geheren

Not only is the United States battling its deadliest drug epidemic in history, but an increasing number of Americans are also struggling with substance use disorder. According to survey data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, nearly 49 million people in the US aged 12 and older – more than one in six – have a substance use disorder.

How can we turn the tide on this growing crisis? Today's guest, Rodney Wambeam, is a senior research scientist at the Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center. He has also served as a health and human services advisor to the governor of Nebraska and has devoted much of his life to figuring out how to prevent substance use and abuse.

In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Wambeam shares crucial advice on preventing substance misuse and addiction. His insights are especially vital for parents, grandparents and teachers navigating the challenges of the opioid epidemic, offering hope and practical strategies to protect their families and communities.

The Emily’s Hope Substance Use Prevention Curriculum has been carefully designed to address growing concerns surrounding substance use and overdose in our communities. Our curriculum focuses on age-appropriate and evidence-based content that educates children about the risks of substance use while empowering them to make healthy choices. 

Support the show

For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Michael Geheren

Grief—it's a heavy burden, a journey that changes us forever. Each person's path through it is uniquely painful. Today, nearly one in three Americans has felt the devastating loss of someone to a drug overdose.

In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Cheryl Juaire shares her heart-wrenching story of losing not one but two children to the relentless grip of addiction.

She shares the profound pain and isolation that comes with losing loved ones in such a stigmatized way. Yet, amidst her sorrow, Cheryl has found a purpose: helping others by creating a grief support group for those who have lost someone to illicit drugs.

Do you have an idea for a Grieving Out Loud episode? Contact Angela at [email protected].

Support the show

For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Michael Geheren

Think back to your childhood—maybe you remember a classmate who misbehaved. Did you know what was happening at home? In Baleigh Cerv's case, she struggled with living with a father who suffered from alcohol addiction and was abusive.

Unfortunately, her story is all too common. According to the latest data from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health, more than 46 million Americans suffer from substance use disorder. Alongside these millions are countless others who struggle with a family member or friend dealing with addiction. It's not just spouses and parents affected—children often bear the brunt of this crisis.

Hear Baleigh's unique perspective on America's addiction crisis in this episode of Grieving Out Loud.

Support the show

For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Michael Geheren

Should drug dealers face prison time? It's a contentious issue with strong opinions on both sides. For years, law enforcement often treated drug overdose deaths as accidental or the fault of the victim. However, with a record surge in fentanyl-related fatalities in the United States, attitudes are evolving.

The alarming rise in deaths has intensified pressure on narcotics investigators nationwide, from the DEA to local police forces, to pursue justice for grieving families. Unfortunately, seeking justice for these tragedies is often slow and uncertain.

In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, meet Matt Capelouto, a grieving father who is advocating for legislative changes to ensure that those who knowingly sell deadly drugs are held accountable with prison sentences. Along with working to change laws, Matt is the founder of Stop Drug Homicide.

Support the show

For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Michael Geheren

At just 19 years old, Jack Nathan had a bright and promising future. He founded his own apparel company, Happy Jack, and generously donated some proceeds to support children struggling with mental health issues.

However, a single decision changed everything. Jack's life was tragically cut short when he took what he thought was a Percocet, but it was a deadly dose of fentanyl.

Hear the heartbreaking story of Jack's death, and learn how his mom, Bradi Harrison Nathan, is now dedicated to helping others navigate mental health and substance use disorders in his honor.

Also, check out more Grieving Out Loud episodes and read Angela's blog on our website. There, you can also find the episode mentioned in this podcast, "Grieving Mother Copes by Drawing Caricatures of Those Lost in the Fentanyl Epidemic.

Support the show

For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Michael Geheren

Originally released on August 4th, 2022

Deaths from alcohol-related liver disease are rising sharply among women. Today's guest, Dr. Jessica Mellinger, a liver specialist at the University of Michigan, has witnessed a 60% increase in waitlisting and transplants for patients with alcoholic hepatitis. She's on a mission to raise awareness about the true definition of moderate drinking in hopes of reversing this deadly trend. You might be surprised at how small amounts of alcohol can have significant adverse health impacts, especially for women.

Support the Show.

For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Michael Geheren