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

Angela Kennecke
  • 4.7 (130)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

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 overdose crisis. Grieving Out Loud is a heartfelt and unflinching podcast where Angela shares stories of devastating loss, hard-earned hope, and the journey toward healing. Through powerful interviews with other grieving families, experts, advocates, and people in recovery, this podcast sheds light on the human side of the epidemic — and how we can all be part of the solution. Whether you're coping with grief, supporting a loved one, or working to end the stigma, you’ll find connection, comfort, and inspiration here.

  1. 2d ago

    Her Grief Turned Into Poetry After Losing Her Son

    Katie Rizzo holds two master’s degrees in science from Yale and the University of Colorado School of Medicine and has spent more than 15 years teaching high school AP Biology and Anatomy. She never thought of herself as a writer. That changed on September 17, 2024, when she lost her firstborn son to substance use disorder. Before her son died, she had never written poetry, but suddenly she had no other language. She began writing as a way to reach him, to somehow connect across that invisible divide. She is still early in this journey, not even two years in, but she is walking it with remarkable honesty and courage. She is sharing her story for a reason. She knows there are other parents living this same reality, grieving a child lost to something the world often stigmatizes and not always feeling there is space to mourn openly. She wants them to know they are not alone. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, she shares her son’s story, what she wants others to understand about loving someone struggling with addiction, and how she is finding healing by telling the truth instead of hiding it. Read more of Katie's writing on her website here.  Related episodes: Why 72,000 Deaths a Year Is Not a Success StoryCookies, Grief, and Hope: A Mother’s Recipe for Healing After Fentanyl LossA Brain Scientist’s Warning Every Parent Should Hear Send us Fan Mail Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.They were... daughterssonsmothersfathersfriendswiveshusbandscousinsboyfriendsgirlfriends.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

  2. Aug 12

    Chris Farley's Brother on the Comedy That Hid the Pain

    From Saturday Night Live to hit films like Black Sheep and Tommy Boy, Chris Farley was one of the defining comedians of the 1990s. But behind the fame and larger-than-life humor, he was quietly battling substance use disorder. In 1997, Chris died at just 33 years old from an accidental overdose of cocaine and morphine. His brother, Tom Farley, is the guest on this episode of Grieving Out Loud. He knows firsthand what it’s like to hide what you’re really feeling, and how that can fuel addiction. Not only did he watch his brother struggle, he went through it himself, often masking his pain with humor, just like Chris. In this episode, Tom shares what he’s learned about overcoming addiction, finding real happiness, and why being your authentic self matters. He also talks about how he’s helping others stop hiding their emotions behind humor, anger, or alcohol. Learn more about recovery.com. Related episodes: Prince’s cousin’s efforts to expose the truth behind the musician’s fentanyl deathBrandon Novak’s Story: from fame to homelessness to helping others find recoveryAfter His Son’s Death, Music Executive Takes on Mental Health and Fentanyl Crisis Send us Fan Mail Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.They were... daughterssonsmothersfathersfriendswiveshusbandscousinsboyfriendsgirlfriends.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

  3. Aug 5

    After Almost Losing Her Son to Addiction, What She Wants Other Parents to Know

    When your child is struggling with addiction, the fear can be overwhelming, and the loneliness can feel just as heavy. Today’s Grieving Out Loud guest knows that reality all too well. Brenda Zane’s son was just 15 years old when addiction entered their lives and changed everything. Their journey pushed them to the brink, with two fentanyl overdoses in just three days. After the second overdose, he nearly died, spending three days in a coma on life support, suffering both a heart attack and a stroke.  Somehow, they found a way through. Out of that experience, Brenda created the Hopestream community, a podcast and online space designed for parents navigating a child’s addiction. She built it because she knew how desperately families need support from people who truly understand. What began as a passion project in 2020 has grown into a resource reaching families across the country. In this episode, Brenda shares her family’s difficult, years-long journey, what she’s learned about helping a loved one through addiction, and how both she and her son are now helping others find hope. Learn more about the Hopestream Community here.  Learn more about the CRAFT Method here. Related episodes: A Brain Scientist’s Warning Every Parent Should HearGrief, marijuana, and addiction: A conversation about cannabis use disorderA mother’s urgent message on mental health and addictionMother blames cannabis-induced psychosis for son’s deathSend us Fan Mail Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.They were... daughterssonsmothersfathersfriendswiveshusbandscousinsboyfriendsgirlfriends.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

  4. Jul 29

    The 70-Cent Test That Could Have Saved Her Son’s Life After He Survived an Overdose

    Juli Shamash is getting national attention for an issue she wishes she never had to talk about. Her 19-year-old son survived a drug overdose, and the hospital ran a standard drug screen, but fentanyl wasn’t included. It isn’t part of the routine ER drug panel used in many hospitals across the country. Her son, Tyler, died the next day. It wasn’t until five months later, after a toxicology report from the coroner, that his family learned fentanyl was in his system. With no background in policy or legislation, Shamash took her fight to the California State Legislature, and won. In 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Tyler’s Law, requiring hospitals in California to include fentanyl in routine drug screenings for suspected overdoses. Now, Shamash is pushing for federal legislation to make that standard the law in every emergency room across the country. While she can’t bring her son back, she’s made it her mission to prevent other families from experiencing the same loss.  In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, she shares her story, the gaps she’s working to close, and how she’s pushing for change. Learn more about Tyler's Law here.  Related episodes: He Wanted Justice for His Son, So He Became the InvestigatorThe Cop Who Had to Investigate Her Own Daughter’s Death Send us Fan Mail Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.They were... daughterssonsmothersfathersfriendswiveshusbandscousinsboyfriendsgirlfriends.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

  5. Jul 22

    The Hidden Wound That Led to Addiction

    In the United States, nearly one in two adult women experience some form of unwanted sexual contact, and more than one in five have experienced completed or attempted rape, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The effects of that trauma can be profound and long-lasting, including an increased risk of substance use and addiction. On this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Lorie Seeking Land shares how a sexual assault at age 13 set her on a path she never expected. Carrying the shame and pain of that experience in silence, she turned to drugs to cope. What followed was a difficult journey marked by meth addiction, federal charges, and a 10-year prison sentence while she was pregnant. After her release, Lorie searched for someone who truly understood what she had been through, someone who had faced similar struggles and found a way forward. When she couldn't find that person, she decided to become that person herself. Today, Lorie is a certified peer coach with Face It Together, an addiction wellness nonprofit. More than eight years after leaving prison, she now walks back through those same prison doors, not as an inmate but as a mentor, helping incarcerated women heal, rediscover their worth, and prepare for life beyond incarceration. Hear Lorie's powerful story, what she wishes she had known earlier in life, and her message for anyone carrying the weight of shame, trauma, or addiction. Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of sexual assault. Please listen with care. Related episodes:  The Dandelion in the WindowThe Voice You Knew — The Story You Didn’tBreaking the stereotypes: A teacher of the year’s battle with homelessness and substance use disorderSend us Fan Mail Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.They were... daughterssonsmothersfathersfriendswiveshusbandscousinsboyfriendsgirlfriends.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

  6. Jul 15

    How Her Son's Addiction Became Her Greatest Teacher

    What happens when the hopes and dreams you have for your child begin to unravel? When they make choices you don’t understand, or find themselves in trouble? Like many parents, you may try to step in and fix it. That’s exactly what today’s guest on Grieving Out Loud did when she discovered her youngest son was experimenting with drugs. As she watched her son struggle with substance use disorder for years, going in and out of around two dozen treatment centers, Barb McAllister tried everything she could to help him find sobriety. After years of trying everything, Barb decided to take a different approach—one she says made a meaningful difference in her relationship with her son and even with herself. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Barb shares her sometimes painful journey and what addiction has taught her about life and about learning to love unconditionally. Learn more about Barb and her coaching services here. Related episodes:  ESPN reporter shares personal tragedy of losing both parents within hours to fentanylChoosing Love After a Hate Crime Took Her Son and FatherA Wife’s Battle With Addiction, A Husband’s Journey to Love Her Through ItSend us Fan Mail Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.They were... daughterssonsmothersfathersfriendswiveshusbandscousinsboyfriendsgirlfriends.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

  7. Jul 8

    ‘I tried to say the right thing:’ When A Parent Can’t Save Their Child from Addiction

    Addiction is a complex disease, and there’s no guidebook for how to navigate it. Today’s guest on Grieving Out Loud knows that reality all too well. Leslie Collins struggled with substance use disorder for years before finding recovery. But as she began to rebuild her life, her son started down the same devastating path. Leslie tried everything she could think of to help him fight the disease, but nothing seemed to work. In the end, she made the difficult decision to try something she hadn’t before, tough love. He died shortly after. Now, through her grief, Leslie is working to raise awareness about fentanyl and prevent other families from experiencing the same loss. She’s now in her fifth year of hosting the Jolly 10K Fentanyl Awareness Fun Run. In this episode, Leslie shares her powerful story, the hard lessons she’s learned about addiction, and what she wishes she had known sooner. Learn more about the Jolly10k Fundraiser here. Related episodes:  A TV Anchor Shares Her Loss to Overdose and Efforts to End StigmaHow to Live With Grief, Not Be Defined By It‘The ugliest, biggest elephant in the room:’ Confronting addiction as a disease Send us Fan Mail Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.They were... daughterssonsmothersfathersfriendswiveshusbandscousinsboyfriendsgirlfriends.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

  8. Jul 1

    Teen Voices Powered by Purpose

    This week we are revisiting one of our favorite episodes as we prepare to head to Orlando for CADCA's 25th Annual Mid-Year Training Institute, July 12-16, 2026. CADCA, or Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, represents thousands of community coalitions across the country working to prevent substance use and save lives. This year's conference theme is Powered by Purpose, and we could not think of a more fitting episode to share as we gear up to be there. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Angela sits down with two young people who embody exactly that spirit. Annabelle Lovell is a high school student who served as the opening speaker at the 2025 CADCA Mid-Year national conference, bringing teen perspectives on substance use prevention to one of the most influential stages in the country. Joining her is Mollie Kruse, a member of the Emily's Hope Youth Prevention Coalition, who has taken her advocacy all the way to Washington D.C., including a meeting with the Senate majority leader. Together, Annabelle and Mollie share what actually works when it comes to helping teens say no, and more importantly, inspiring their peers and communities to make better decisions. This episode is a powerful reminder of why prevention work matters and what it looks like when young people lead the way. If you are heading to CADCA Mid-Year in Orlando, we hope to see you there!  Learn more about the 2026 CADCA Mid-Year Training Institute here.  Send us Fan Mail Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.They were... daughterssonsmothersfathersfriendswiveshusbandscousinsboyfriendsgirlfriends.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

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4.7
out of 5
130 Ratings

About

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 overdose crisis. Grieving Out Loud is a heartfelt and unflinching podcast where Angela shares stories of devastating loss, hard-earned hope, and the journey toward healing. Through powerful interviews with other grieving families, experts, advocates, and people in recovery, this podcast sheds light on the human side of the epidemic — and how we can all be part of the solution. Whether you're coping with grief, supporting a loved one, or working to end the stigma, you’ll find connection, comfort, and inspiration here.

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