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

March 19, 2025Beating the Odds from Gang Life to Changing Lives
From an abusive childhood to growing up in extreme poverty and joining a gang at just 11 years old, Jose Rivera’s path could have led to devastation. Most of the people he once ran with are no longer alive—but Jose beat the odds. Now, he's dedicating his life to helping others struggling with abuse, mental health challenges and substance use disorder. Hear his powerful story, why he thinks he was able to turn his life around and his advice for others who are struggling in this episode of Grieving Out Loud.
Watch Awareness, Action and Hope: Navigating the Opioid Crisis: https://emilyshope.charity/news/awareness-action-hope-navigating-the-opioid-fentanyl-crisis/
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Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.

They were...
daughters
sons
mothers
fathers
friends
wives
husbands
cousins
boyfriends
girlfriends.
They were More Than Just A Number.
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
37 min
March 12, 2025Saving Lives After Overdose One Call at a Time
Every six minutes, an American dies from a drug overdose—let that sink in. Every six minutes.
The United States is in the midst of its deadliest drug epidemic, yet many overdose deaths could be prevented. One critical warning sign? A non-fatal overdose.
Survivors of an overdose face a significantly higher risk of another—one that could be fatal. Research shows that among emergency room patients treated for an opioid overdose, about 6 percent die within a year. Nearly a quarter of those deaths occur within just one month of leaving the hospital. Despite this, too many overdose survivors leave the hospital without the resources or support they need to break the cycle.
That’s where Emily’s Hope steps in. The Post-Overdose Response Team (PORT) connects people with a peer support specialist who meets them where they are—including in the hospital—to offer guidance, resources, and hope.
Hear from Cameron and his mother, Lisa, whose lives were transformed by PORT. Plus, gain insight from Dr. Hannah Statz DeVries and peer support specialist Vanessa, who are working to make a lasting impact.
Emily's Hope Post-Overdose Response Team: https://youtu.be/02pQPEygR-Y?si=Lvj6HY9PSU52mYN4
Send us Fan Mail
Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.

They were...
daughters
sons
mothers
fathers
friends
wives
husbands
cousins
boyfriends
girlfriends.
They were More Than Just A Number.
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
March 05, 2025Addiction Behind the Headlines
From movies like The Morning Show to classic TV series like The Mary Tyler Moore Show, audiences have long been captivated by the fast-paced world of journalism. But behind the scenes, real-life newsrooms can be anything but glamorous.
Journalism is a high-pressure profession, with tight deadlines and little room for error. While there isn’t a widely recognized statistic proving that journalists have a higher-than-average rate of alcohol addiction, research suggests that high-stress jobs—especially those with irregular schedules and exposure to distressing content—carry an increased risk of substance use, including alcohol.
In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, reporter Megan Luther shares her personal battle with substance use disorder, her journey to recovery, and why she’s now speaking out about a disease too often met with stigma.
Journalists Recovery Network: https://journalistsrecoverynetwork.com/
Grieving Out Loud episode The silent crisis of alcohol and women’s liver disease: https://emilyshope.charity/episode/dr-jessica-mellinger/
Megan’s story about Taylor Nielsen: https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/es/news/news-articles/35-and-dying-taylor-nielsen-is-one-of-hundreds-trekking-to-omaha-hoping-for-new-liver/

Send us Fan Mail
Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.

They were...
daughters
sons
mothers
fathers
friends
wives
husbands
cousins
boyfriends
girlfriends.
They were More Than Just A Number.
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
35 min
February 26, 2025A TV Anchor Shares Her Loss to Overdose and Efforts to End Stigma
As an evening news anchor, Laura Monteverdi is used to reporting difficult stories—but one of the hardest stories she’s ever told is her own. In this powerful episode of Grieving Out Loud, Laura opens up about the devastating loss of her boyfriend, Brock Eidsness, to a heroin overdose.
At just 27 years old, Brock was full of life and ambition, working toward a successful career in film production. But beneath his accomplishments, he struggled with substance use—something Laura wasn’t fully aware of until it was too late. The moment she received the heartbreaking phone call that changed her life is one she says will stay with her forever.
For years, Laura kept her grief and Brock’s cause of death private, fearing stigma and judgment. But when she finally decided to share her story publicly, the response was overwhelming. Her journey from silent suffering to outspoken advocate has led her to educate others about addiction and the opioid crisis, hoping to spare others from experiencing the same pain.
Watch Laura's special on the opioid epidemic: Saving a Generation: The New Face of Drug Addiction
Send us Fan Mail
Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.

They were...
daughters
sons
mothers
fathers
friends
wives
husbands
cousins
boyfriends
girlfriends.
They were More Than Just A Number.
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
40 min
February 19, 2025‘I lost who I was.’ Emily’s Hope Treatment Scholarship gives mom second chance
Chances are, you or someone you know is battling substance use disorder. The latest numbers from the U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health show that nearly 49 million Americans struggle with addiction. Getting help is tough. First, there’s the hard part: admitting there’s a problem and deciding to seek treatment, especially with the stigma surrounding addiction. Then comes another huge challenge—figuring out how to pay for the help you need.
In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, you’ll meet a hardworking mom who spent years hiding her struggle with alcohol addiction. When she finally decided it was time to get help, the cost almost stopped her in her tracks. But thanks to an Emily’s Hope Treatment Scholarship, her life has completely turned around. Now she’s not just living a joy-filled life—she’s sharing her story to remind others they’re never alone, and there’s always hope.
Find more information about this episode at https://emilyshope.charity/episode/melissa-carter/

Send us Fan Mail
Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.

They were...
daughters
sons
mothers
fathers
friends
wives
husbands
cousins
boyfriends
girlfriends.
They were More Than Just A Number.
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
32 min
February 12, 2025From Adoption to Loss—One Mother’s Journey of Love and Resilience
From infertility struggles to adoption, and then watching her child fight cancer, Brenda Reedy’s journey has been anything but easy. Through every challenge, she faced it with unwavering dedication and resilience. But just as she thought the worst was behind her, life took another heartbreaking turn—when her son entered his teenage years, he began battling addiction.
Brenda made difficult choices, fought for his recovery, and saw glimpses of hope. But then, while she was on vacation, she received the call every parent dreads—her son had suddenly passed away.
Now, Brenda has turned her grief into purpose, dedicating herself to raising awareness about fentanyl, determined to prevent other families from experiencing the same devastating loss.
Send us Fan Mail
Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.

They were...
daughters
sons
mothers
fathers
friends
wives
husbands
cousins
boyfriends
girlfriends.
They were More Than Just A Number.
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
32 min
February 05, 2025Minnesota’s First Addiction and Recovery Director on Drugs, Policy, and Controversial Solutions
To battle the nation’s opioid and substance use disorder epidemic, Minnesota has created a new position focused on the problem. The governor appointed Jeremy Drucker to serve as the administration’s first Addiction and Recovery Director.
In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, host Angela Kennecke sits down with Drucker to gather his insights both professionally and personally on overcoming addiction, as he’s battled the disease himself. From safe recovery sites to naloxone, they cover some of the most controversial topics surrounding the epidemic.
Send us Fan Mail
Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.

They were...
daughters
sons
mothers
fathers
friends
wives
husbands
cousins
boyfriends
girlfriends.
They were More Than Just A Number.
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
32 min
January 29, 2025The Mission to Unite America Against the Fentanyl Crisis
People from across the nation will come together this September to walk in support of raising awareness about the fentanyl crisis. Surprisingly, the man behind this movement doesn’t have a personal connection to the epidemic. Instead, his mission was sparked when he ran through a town grappling with the opioid crisis and felt compelled to make a difference.
In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, hear from the founder of United Against Fentanyl and learn how he hopes to unite Americans—Republicans and Democrats alike—in the fight against this devastating epidemic.
You can sign up to coordinate a walk or find an existing event on United Against Fentanyl’s website.
Send us Fan Mail
Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.

They were...
daughters
sons
mothers
fathers
friends
wives
husbands
cousins
boyfriends
girlfriends.
They were More Than Just A Number.
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
42 min
January 22, 2025Reading, writing, and recovery at a high school helping teens with addiction
Being a teen is challenging enough, but imagine facing the added burden of addiction.
Drug use is especially harmful to the developing brain, altering its structure in ways that can increase the risk of long-term addiction and other serious issues.

But thanks to a unique high school in Las Vegas that combines education with substance use disorder treatment, Landynn Meyers and Giuseppe Russo, along with many other teens are turning their lives around and thriving. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, hear from the principal of Las Vegas Mission High School, along with a couple of graduates who are now helping others facing similar struggles.

Learn more about Mission High School: https://www.missionhighschoollv.org/about

Waych Awareness, Action, and Hope: Navigating the Opioid/Fentanyl crisis, here: https://www.drugfreeisuptome.org/
Send us Fan Mail
Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.

They were...
daughters
sons
mothers
fathers
friends
wives
husbands
cousins
boyfriends
girlfriends.
They were More Than Just A Number.
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
32 min
January 15, 2025TV Anchors step up with naloxone training to fight the opioid crisis
Award-winning journalists Iris St. Meran and Christie Casciano bring Syracuse, New York's biggest stories to light, covering everything from government decisions to crime. This year, however, they encountered a crisis they couldn’t simply cover from the newsroom.

After repeatedly hearing overdose calls on the police scanner, they felt compelled to act. In addition to anchoring a special hour-long segment on the opioid crisis, the duo took their commitment a step further by completing naloxone training. Now equipped with the life-saving skills to administer Narcan, they’re ready to help someone in the grip of an overdose.
In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, hear how these journalists transitioned from reporting the news to potentially responding to the opioid epidemic.
If you’d like to learn how to administer Narcan, watch this video to gain life-saving knowledge and discover more about Emily’s Hope’s mission to distribute naloxone to those in need.

Watch the full special, More Than a Number: The Opioid Epidemic in Central New York, here: https://www.localsyr.com/more-than-a-number-the-opioid-epidemic-in-central-new-york/

Awareness, Action, and Hope: Navigating the Opioid/Fentanyl crisis: https://www.drugfreeisuptome.org/

Learn more about Narcan here: https://emilyshope.charity/narcan/

Send us Fan Mail
Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.

They were...
daughters
sons
mothers
fathers
friends
wives
husbands
cousins
boyfriends
girlfriends.
They were More Than Just A Number.
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
23 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…