157 episodes

Angela Kennecke is a journalist who lost her 21-year-old daughter Emily to fentanyl poisoning on May 16, 2018. Angela is "grieving out loud" to try to put an end to this epidemic by stopping the stigma and promoting the treatment of substance use disorder as the disease it is. Anyone coping with loss and looking for inspiration can benefit from listening to this podcast.

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

    • Health & Fitness
    • 4.9 • 101 Ratings

Angela Kennecke is a journalist who lost her 21-year-old daughter Emily to fentanyl poisoning on May 16, 2018. Angela is "grieving out loud" to try to put an end to this epidemic by stopping the stigma and promoting the treatment of substance use disorder as the disease it is. Anyone coping with loss and looking for inspiration can benefit from listening to this podcast.

    Mother spearheads lawsuit against Snapchat in wake of teen's fentanyl fatality

    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.
    Support the showFor 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 & Anna Fey

    • 38 min
    A paramedic's harrowing shift from lifesaver to bereaved mother in the fentanyl crisis

    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.
    Support the showFor 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 & Anna Fey

    • 38 min
    Grief, marijuana, and addiction: A conversation about cannabis use disorder

    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.
    Support the showFor 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 & Anna Fey

    • 25 min
    Podcast star shares story of overcoming grief & trauma

    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. 
    Support the showFor 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 & Anna Fey

    • 43 min
    A conversation with a trailblazer making naloxone more accessible and saving lives

    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.
    Support the showFor 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 & Anna Fey

    • 35 min
    A prescription for danger: The hidden cost of the opioid crisis

    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.
    Support the showFor 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 & Anna Fey

    • 36 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
101 Ratings

101 Ratings

amdunlap ,

Addiction treatment

Dr. Statz-DeVries’ podcast was so insightful. It is incredibly helpful and hopeful to know that there are tools to treat this disease and practitioners out there who are qualified and succeeding at treating the addiction crisis in our country. She explains addiction and successful treatment clearly and concisely in a way that takes the stigma out of it. Everyone who knows someone with addiction should listen to this.

Camille L L ,

Thankful for podcast

I’m so thankful this podcast is bringing to light an issue affecting millions people. Angela and her guests are informative, interesting and inspiring!

Dave RK ,

Great, Informative Podcast

What an interesting, informative podcast on a topic affecting so many people!!!

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