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

Wine Wednesday, Mom Juice, Liquid Courage--our culture has all sorts of cute catchphrases encouraging people to drink. In fact, excessive drinking seems to be normalized, but unfortunately, it's also one of the leading preventable causes of death in the U.S., with more than 380 Americans dying every day.

In this heartfelt episode of Grieving Out Loud, hear from Kylee Hanson, whose journey through substance use disorder began almost from her first sip. Kylee's mom also opens up about the heart-wrenching experience of witnessing her daughter's struggle with addiction. Fortunately, Kylee decided to seek help, yet her challenges persisted. Losing her job and insurance, she found herself without the means to afford treatment.

In this episode, you'll discover Kylee's journey—its highs, lows, and eventual triumph over substance use disorder, with a pivotal role played by an Emily's Hope treatment scholarship.

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Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

How do you navigate life's unexpected challenges? Do you crumble under the weight, foster resentment, or embrace each trial as an opportunity for personal growth?

In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, we welcome Lynn Gillette, who, at first glance, seemed to have life all figured out. With her children's recent high school graduation, she entered an empty nest, ready to dedicate herself to a career as a school principal. However, life had other plans. A sudden and tragic turn of events saw the passing of both her brother and his ex-wife, leaving Lynn and her husband responsible for their four children.

Lynn's journey not only entailed grappling with grief but also making pivotal decisions as the guardian of her four nieces. Rather than succumbing to the pressure, Lynn confronted the challenges head-on, learned from the hardships, and has since emerged as a beacon of strength, now helping others as a life coach.

Lynn discusses how you discern your life's mission and purpose and navigate those challenging moments, whether it be the loss of a loved one, a job, or your health. We hope this episode leaves you hopeful you navigate life's unexpected twists.

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Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

Imagine a trip brimming with celebration and laughter—Carol Wolfe's son, Josh, embarked from Nebraska to Nashville, eager to witness the heartfelt "I dos" of two dear friends. Little did anyone know that this journey, meant for joy, would take an unexpected turn.

Post-wedding festivities, Josh and a friend, decided to extend their Nashville stay for just one more night—an ordinary decision that would soon become extraordinary. Just moments after capturing a picture, Josh and two others collapsed, resulting in the tragic death of Josh and another person.

Amidst the shock and grief, Carol learned that her son died from fentanyl—a revelation that brought forth more questions than answers. How did this happen? With no history of substance use disorder or drug abuse, how did fentanyl find its way into Josh's life? These are questions that thousands of parents find themselves wrestling with as our nation battles its deadliest drug epidemic in history.

In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Carol talks about Josh's story and the message that, she thinks, all Americans need to hear. Also, check out more Grieving Out Loud episodes, including the story of a mom who believes her daughter died from drinking a bottle of water that contained diluted fentanyl.

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Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

As an experienced mental health nurse practitioner, John Lally has extensive knowledge of mental health and substance use disorder issues. Yet, when his son confronted the challenges of anxiety, depression, and addiction, John discovered the profound difficulty of navigating such struggles.

In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, John not only shares his difficult personal journey and what he wishes he would have done differently, but he also offers advice to parents going through similar struggles. Discover how he turned his pain into a mission to support others battling mental health issues and addiction. 

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Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

Our journey on Grieving Out Loud has been extraordinary over the past year. We've been graced by the voices of countless individuals who, with unwavering bravery, shared the intimate and challenging chapters of their lives entwined with substance use disorder. In these narratives, we've not only heard the heart-wrenching stories of parents who, despite the unimaginable loss, have summoned the courage to speak out about their children's battles with drug overdoses and fentanyl poisonings, but we've also been touched by the resilience and indomitable spirit that radiates from each story.

This episode is a moment to relive some of the most touching, inspiring, and profoundly insightful conversations from 2023. These stories transcend pain and struggle, painting a vivid portrait of resilience, hope, and the unwavering human spirit that flourishes even amidst profound challenges.

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Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

Originally Released on November 30th, 2022

Season's greetings from Grieving Out Loud! For this holiday special, we're revisiting an episode that holds valuable insights for many. Our guest today, Dr. Mark Vande Braak, played a significant role in host Angela Kennecke's grief journey following the loss of her 21-year-old daughter, Emily. As a thanatologist—a fancy term for a grief educator—Dr. Vande Braak guided Angela's family in the aftermath of Emily's passing. You might recall him from an earlier podcast, Episode 10, "Broken Heart Syndrome: Four Ways We Grieve."

In this episode, Vande Braak has helpful, practical advice tailored for those grappling with loss during the holiday season—a time often dubbed the "most wonderful time of the year," yet one that can be the hardest and loneliest for those grieving. Tune in for insights that can bring comfort and support during this challenging time.

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Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

Grieving Out Loud host Angela Kennecke received a special invitation to the White House this year, where she met with some of America's top government officials working to end the historic drug crisis. The visit included discussions with prominent figures such as our nation's drug czar, the CDC director, and the Second Gentleman, Douglas Emhoff, Vice President Kamala Harris's husband. 

Angela also had the opportunity to connect with parents who, like herself, are grappling with the heartbreaking loss of their children to the fentanyl epidemic. One of those parents, Gary Carter, is the guest on this episode.

Join us in this very candid conversation as Gary reflects on some of the signs he may have missed when his son started experimenting with drugs. He shares the difficult moments and lessons learned as he watched his son battle substance use disorder, find recovery, and then, amidst the hope and joy--suddenly die from fentanyl. 

Despite his profound grief, Gary is on a mission to help others identify warning signs of drug use and substance disorder through support groups and Hope's Room. Prepare for an enlightening and empowering discussion as we tackle one of the nation's most significant challenges.

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Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

In this episode of "Grieving Out Loud," host Angela Kennecke engages in a poignant discussion with Lisa Gennosa, a physician assistant and author of Incurable Hope: A Memoir and Survival Guide for Coping with a Loved One's Addiction. Despite Lisa's medical background and being married to a doctor, she found herself unprepared for her son's struggles with substance use disorder and mental health issues. This plight is not unique, as drug overdoses have become the leading cause of death for Americans under 50.

Recent CDC data reveals alarming trends among high school students: one-third of female students have seriously considered suicide in the past year, with over ten percent of male students also contemplating this tragic choice. Lisa's decision to publicize her journey with her son's addiction offers vital insights and support to families in similar situations.

In their conversation, Angela and Lisa delve into the often-overlooked warning signs of addiction, providing essential guidance and advice for families navigating these challenging circumstances. This heartfelt episode offers hope and support, inspiring a transformation from pain to healing, understanding, and empathy in the face of addiction.

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Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

A record 112,024 Americans have died in the past year from drugs alone; that's around 307 people every day. Today's Grieving Out Loud guest, Natasha Combs, feared she would become a part of that statistic. 

Natasha struggled with substance use disorder after a surgery where she was prescribed painkillers, coupled with the fact that she was battling extreme grief from losing her brother, mother, husband, best friend, and grandma--all within a short period. That's enough to break anyone, but here's where Natasha hoped her story would take a turn for the better. She realized she needed help and checked into a treatment facility.

However, she lost her job and insurance a few days after starting treatment. Natasha contemplated leaving the facility, but at the same time, she feared that if she did, she would relapse. That's when an Emily's Hope treatment scholarship came into play.

You also have the power to make a real difference and save lives by donating money towards a scholarship. During this episode, see how your donation can transform someone's life and discover how Natasha's journey has inspired her to give back and make a real impact.

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Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

Originally released on March 6th, 2021

From the loss of a loved one to grappling with addiction and facing job loss – life presents us with countless challenges. While the list may seem never-ending, maintaining the right mindset can empower you to overcome and persevere and discover moments of joy amidst painful circumstances. 

On this episode of Grieving Out Loud, we're revisiting a past episode that can offer valuable insights, no matter what you're going through. Our guest is Heather Stang, a thanatologist and grief expert, a yoga therapist, and the author of Mindfulness and Grief and the guided journal From Grief to Peace. Heather founded the Mindfulness and Grief Institute and hosts her podcast, Mindfulness and Grief. 

Join us as we explore practical tips for navigating grief and life's challenges, which can be particularly difficult during the holiday season.

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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