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

By Angela KenneckeSociety & Culture Health & Fitness Mental Health Personal Journals

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

April 03, 2024 Cancer patient uses his addiction battle to create a potentially life-saving device
Ever feel like you've hit a certain age, and your chance to impact the world has passed you by?

In today's Grieving Out Loud episode, we'll introduce you to Neil Jackson, who proves that age is just a number. In his early 60s, Neil faced the devastating news of a rare cancer diagnosis and the slim odds of survival after a risky surgery. But his story doesn't end there. Neil found himself confronting a new battle – addiction to the very painkillers meant to ease his suffering.

Now, Neil is turning his pain into purpose, not just by sharing his story but by inventing a device aimed at helping others battling substance use disorder. Please tune in to discover how Neil's innovation has the potential to change lives and reshape our nation's devastating drug crisis.
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For more episodes and information, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

28 min
March 27, 2024 Mother spearheads lawsuit against Snapchat in wake of teen's fentanyl fatality
From FOX News to CNN and ABC, Amy Neville has found herself under the national news spotlight, but it's for a cause she wishes never existed. Amy faced the heart-wrenching loss of her 14-year-old son, who, on the brink of his first year in high school, ingested what he thought was oxycodone, a purchase made through Snapchat. Now, Amy is on a mission, challenging the social media giant, striving to prevent other families from enduring the same devastating loss.

Amy says David Kessler's online grief therapy has helped her heal. You can find more information about the program here.

Also, please leave a positive review for this episode and share it with friends and family. Your support helps further Emily's Hope's mission to remove the stigma of substance use disorder and get more people the treatment they desperately need. Together, we can make a difference.
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For more episodes and information, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

39 min
March 20, 2024 A paramedic's harrowing shift from lifesaver to bereaved mother in the fentanyl crisis
As a seasoned paramedic, Shani Reisnour has seen the painful impact of our nation’s drug crisis up close. But she never expected it to hit her family. Unfortunately, fentanyl doesn’t discriminate.

In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Shani opens up about her daughter’s struggle with substance use disorder, shares the lessons she’s learned, and what she wants every parent out there to know… before it’s too late.
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For more episodes and information, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

39 min
March 13, 2024 Grief, marijuana, and addiction: A conversation about cannabis use disorder
With a record number of Americans using marijuana, cannabis use disorder is also on the rise. Recent research published in The Journal of the American Medical Association finds that more than one-fifth of people who use cannabis struggle with dependency or problematic use.

In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Chris Raeford courageously opens up about his journey—dealing with grief, turning to marijuana for comfort, and then confronting his addiction. It's not just about personal struggles; his story is truly inspiring. We hope it motivates you to face your challenges and extend a helping hand to others going through difficult situations.
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For more episodes and information, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

26 min
March 06, 2024 Podcast star shares story of overcoming grief & trauma
As one of the most popular podcasters in the world, Meghan Judge has seen a lot of success throughout her career. She’s also married to a Hollywood actor, but now she speaks out about the trauma she survived starting at a young age. Because of all of her grief, abuse, and abandonment issues, doctors diagnosed Meghan with Complex PTSD.
In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Meghan opens up about her past traumas and grief. Hear about the pivotal moments that led her to heal and the invaluable advice she has for others facing life’s challenges.
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For more episodes and information, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

44 min
February 28, 2024 A conversation with a trailblazer making naloxone more accessible and saving lives
With fentanyl being the number one killer of Americans under 50, it’s more important than ever to have easy access to naloxone, which can reverse opioid overdoses. In fact, naloxone has saved the lives of tens of thousands of people.

Today, on a heartfelt episode of Grieving Out Loud, we are privileged to have Justin Phillips join us—a remarkable woman at the forefront of making naloxone more accessible. Her unwavering mission stems from personal tragedy; she endured the devastating loss of her son, Aaron, to a drug overdose.

Justin’s advocacy has left an indelible mark, leading to an Indiana law named after her son that increases Narcan accessibility. Beyond this legislative milestone, she founded the non-profit Overdose Lifeline and has received multiple awards for her tireless and life-saving efforts.

Justin and Grieving Out Loud host Angela Kennecke have also attended several of the same advocacy events, including being invited to the White House to meet with some of the nation’s top officials tackling the drug crisis. You can read about Angela’s experience at that meeting on her blog.

We hope this episode leaves you more informed about our nation’s drug crisis, more inspired to make a difference and brings comfort to those who have lost a child to drugs.
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For more episodes and information, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

36 min
February 21, 2024 A prescription for danger: The hidden cost of the opioid crisis
In an era where streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu bring the grim realities of America’s opioid crisis to the forefront through compelling narratives and star-studded casts, the painful truth hits home for countless families. Among them is Sandra Martinez, whose daughter Qarinna’s journey began with a seemingly benign prescription for opioids to address a health condition. However, this prescription marked the start of a harrowing descent into substance use disorder, echoing the chilling plotlines of horror films.
Qarinna’s struggle saw her life unravel, leading to homelessness, exploitation, and abuse. In this compelling episode of Grieving Out Loud, Sandra bravely recounts her daughter’s ordeal, shedding light on the overlooked warning signs and sharing essential insights to help other parents navigate similar challenges.
Discover more episodes of Grieving Out Loud, including an exclusive interview with Dan Schneider, the inspiration behind the hit Netflix docuseries “The Pharmacist,” on the Emily’s Hope website. Explore our podcast series here and delve into the backstory of “The Pharmacist” here.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Connect with Angela
Follow Grieving Out Loud
Follow Emily's Hope
Read Angela’s Blog
Subscribe to Grieving Out Loud/Emily’s Hope Updates
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For more episodes and information, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

37 min
February 14, 2024 Rising from sorrow: A mother's path through a decade of the fentanyl crisis
Over the last ten years, Lauri Badura has been on a determined quest to confront the escalating crisis of fentanyl-related deaths. Despite her unwavering dedication, the shadow of this epidemic continues to grow. Lauri's path to advocacy was marked by personal tragedy in 2014 when she lost her son, Archie, to an overdose. This loss became the catalyst for her founding Saving Others For Archie (SOFA), a nonprofit dedicated to combating America's fentanyl crisis—a mission that has taken her to the White House three times to discuss strategies and solutions.
But Lauri's efforts don't stop at raising awareness. Understanding the deep well of grief that comes with loss, she also became a certified bereavement companion, aiming to offer solace and support to others in mourning. On today's episode of Grieving Out Loud, Lauri shares her insights into the grieving process, offering practical tips for those looking to find strength and hope in the midst of sorrow. It's a conversation about learning to thrive, even when faced with the most heartbreaking of losses.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Connect with Angela
Follow Grieving Out Loud
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For more episodes and information, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

28 min
February 07, 2024 A sister’s role in getting brother off opioids
Originally released on July 18th, 2022

Today's episode is an unexpected revisit dedicated to the memory of one of our past guests. Maryrose Fealey was a TikTok star who gained fame after she shared her relationship with her brother, Ian, who suffers from substance use disorder. Her journey was also shown in an eye-opening documentary that followed Ian and Maryrose for almost a month while he suffered from withdrawals and cravings.
Tragically, Grieving Out Loud host Angela Kennecke got a call from a reporter to comment on Maryrose's horrific death. The 27-year-old was found fatally stabbed outside near her home in New Jersey.
Today, we're resharing Maryrose's story, and we hope her words sink in and inspire you to love unconditionally, take it slow on the anger, and strive to leave this world a little kinder than you found it.

Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Connect with Angela
Follow Grieving Out Loud
Follow Emily's Hope
Read Angela’s Blog
Subscribe to Grieving Out Loud/Emily’s Hope Updates
Suggest a Guest

For more episodes and information, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

29 min
January 31, 2024 Snaps of sorrow: A father's advocacy after losing son from Snapchat drug deal
Buying drugs online is "nearly as convenient as using one's phone to order a pizza or call an Uber," a report by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser found. Sadly, an increasing number of grieving parents are painfully discovering the truth behind this statement.

Chris Didier's 17-year-old son Zach was an Eagle Scout, talented soccer player, and straight-A student who decided to buy what he thought was a Percocet via Snapchat. Unfortunately, that pill was a deadly dose of fentanyl. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Didier shares his son's tragic journey, reflects on what he wishes he had known, and shares invaluable advice for other parents.

Zach's mom has also joined host Angela Kennecke on Grieving Out Loud. You can listen to that episode here.

Learn more about the Emily's Hope Substance Use Prevention Curriculum here.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Connect with Angela
Follow Grieving Out Loud
Follow Emily's Hope
Read Angela’s Blog
Subscribe to Grieving Out Loud/Emily’s Hope Updates
Suggest a Guest

For more episodes and information, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

38 min

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

From the publisher's feed

After losing her 21-year-old daughter, Emily, to fentanyl poisoning, veteran journalist Angela Kennecke made it her life’s mission to break the silence surrounding substance use disorder and the…