Kids of Overdose: Parents Lost to Substance Abuse

Candice
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People who have lost a parent to drug overdose, substance abuse disorder, or addiction share their personal stories of grief, how the death occurred, how it affected them and how it is influenced who and where they are today. These are stories of resilience and hope coming out of tragedy. The host, Candice, lost her dad to a cocaine overdose when she was five years old and out of a lifetime longing to want to relate and connect with people who have went through similar loss, she created Kids of Overdose over 30 years later. For an opportunity to share your story, visit kidsofo.com

Episodes

  1. Part 2: Not All Who Wander Are Lost | Kids of Overdose - Season Finale

    05/10/2025

    Part 2: Not All Who Wander Are Lost | Kids of Overdose - Season Finale

    In the concluding episode of Season One of Kids of Overdose, host Candice shares her personal story of losing her father to a drug overdose. As she reflects on her journey through grief and trauma, she discusses the importance of sharing and understanding these difficult experiences. Interviewed by her therapist and life coach, Brian Nandy, Candice explores themes of addiction, loss, music, and the delicate relationship with her father's memory. She also talks about the significance of overcoming shame and finding community support. Tune in to hear Candice's heartfelt account and her message to others who have gone through similar losses. 00:00 Introduction and Purpose 00:39 Host Introduction and Personal Mission 01:49 Memories of My Father 05:09 The Struggles and Strengths of Addiction07:37 The Importance of Sharing and Support 11:00 Reflections on Life and Healing 20:43 The Power of Music and Connection 26:56 Closing Thoughts and Future PlansImage by HeungSoon from Pixabay. Music by Clavier from Pixabay. For more info on the show, visit kidsofo.com

    29 min
  2. Part 1: Not All Who Wander are Lost - Unveiling a Father's Death to Overdose

    05/03/2025

    Part 1: Not All Who Wander are Lost - Unveiling a Father's Death to Overdose

    A Journey of Overcoming Stigma and Embracing Truth | Kids of Overdose Ep. 8 In episode 8 of Kids of Overdose, host Candice takes a turn in the interviewer's chair as she is interviewed by her life coach and therapist, Brian Nandy from BN Counseling. Candice courageously shares the personal story of her father's accidental overdose, revealing how his untimely death has profoundly shaped her life. She reflects on the challenges of opening up about her father's struggle with addiction and how the experience has motivated her to create a space for others to share their stories. Through the interview, Candice aims to break the stigma associated with overdose and highlight the healing power of vulnerability and truth. Join us for part one of this two-part series as we explore the complexities of living with hidden pain and the journey towards authenticity. 00:00 Introduction: The Hidden Story 01:01 Podcast Announcement and Format Change 03:11 The Tragic Story of My Dad's Overdose 08:22 Discovering the Truth as a Teenager 13:27 Connecting with My Dad's Friends 20:58 Reflecting on My Dad's Life and Legacy 27:11 Conclusion: Embracing Authenticity 41:57 Part Two Preview and Credits Cover Image by sorawith homsuwan from Pixabay. Music from Clavier from Pixabay.

    43 min
  3. Episode 7 Trailer: Families that Support Addicts

    Season 1, Episode 7 Trailer

    Episode 7 Trailer: Families that Support Addicts

    It's not just about the journey of recovery. Let's honor the strength and resilience of families who stand by their loved ones and make sacrifices. ❤️ Catch this clip from Episode 7 of the Kids of Overdose podcast, streaming now. Hear Dina's story of losing her father to addiction and overdose.

    1 min
  4. Breaking the Chain: A Daughter’s Resilience Through Her Parent’s Addictions

    04/26/2025

    Breaking the Chain: A Daughter’s Resilience Through Her Parent’s Addictions

    In this episode of Kids of Overdose, Dina from California shares her harrowing story of growing up with addicted parents and the impact it had on her family. Dina discusses the struggle of dealing with an absent father and a neglectful mother, the difficult decisions she had to make, and how she ultimately broke the cycle of addiction in her family. She touches on the themes of resilience, generational trauma, and the often-overlooked hardships faced by the families of addicts. If you or someone you know has a similar story, watch this episode for a deep, personal account and a new perspective on dealing with addiction in the family. 00:00 Introduction: Celebrating the Family, Not the Addict 01:06 Welcome to Kids of Overdose: Dina's Story 02:12 Dina's Childhood: Absent Father and Addicted Mother 06:10 Teen Pregnancy and Breaking the Cycle 07:03 Caring for Addicted Parents: A Lifelong Struggle 07:31 Final Confrontation and Moving On 15:37 Reflections on Addiction and Family 32:33 Conclusion: A New Perspective on Addiction Music by Clavier Clavier from Pixabay. Cover Image by Dorota Kudyba from Pixabay

    34 min
  5. Royal Rose: A Daughter Loses her Mom to Fentanyl Overdose and Becomes an Advocate

    04/19/2025

    Royal Rose: A Daughter Loses her Mom to Fentanyl Overdose and Becomes an Advocate

    In this emotional interview on the Kids of Overdose podcast, Candice speaks with MJ Jackson, who recounts the tragic loss of her mother to a fentanyl overdose. MJ candidly shares her grief journey, the impact of stigma, and the struggles faced by black and brown communities in accessing resources. Inspired to prevent similar fates for others, MJ founded the Royal Rose Foundation, an organization dedicated to overdose awareness and education. The foundation provides free Narcan and training on how to respond to overdoses. MJ expresses the continuous, fluctuating nature of her grief and emphasizes the importance of community support and breaking the silence around overdose deaths. The podcast concludes with a call to action for more awareness and support in combating the overdose crisis, especially in marginalized communities. Image by Vicki Hamilton from Pixabay. Music by Clavier Clavier from Pixabay

    37 min
  6. Inside & Out: Two Sisters Talk About Losing their Mom to Fentanyl Poisoning

    04/12/2025

    Inside & Out: Two Sisters Talk About Losing their Mom to Fentanyl Poisoning

    In this episode of 'Kids of Overdose,' host Candice interviews sisters Morgan and Taylor, who share their emotional journey after losing their mother to fentanyl poisoning. They discuss the transformation in their mother's behavior due to her addiction, the gradual realization of her condition, and how they handled the grief and stigma associated with her death. Both sisters emphasize the importance of transparency and breaking the silence surrounding addiction. They recall personal anecdotes, the impact of their mother’s addiction on their family dynamics, and detail their individual coping mechanisms, including involvement in support groups and therapy. The episode underscores the significance of empathy, understanding, and openness in dealing with loss and addiction. Music is by Clavier from Pixabay and Cover Image is by Thomas Ulrich from Pixabay. Currently seeking people interested in sharing their story, for more information visit kidsofo.com

    56 min
  7. Tragic Kingdom: A Son Speaks About Losing His Young Dad to a Cocaine Overdose

    04/05/2025

    Tragic Kingdom: A Son Speaks About Losing His Young Dad to a Cocaine Overdose

    In this episode of 'Kids of Overdose,' host Candice interviews Trevor Jang, a comedian and writer from Vancouver, BC, who lost his father to a drug overdose at the age of five. Trevor reflects on his journey through grief, addiction, and recovery while emphasizing the importance of de-stigmatizing addiction. He discusses the challenges of growing up without his father, the support of his family, and how he found healing through sobriety, comedy, and indigenous ceremonies. Trevor shares how he now uses his experiences to help others and continues to honor his father's memory by breaking the cycle of addiction. Cover Image by Donna Kirby from Pixabay. Music by Clavier from Pixabay.

    36 min
  8. The Landslide Will Bring it Down: Grieving the Life and Death of a Mom to Addiction

    03/29/2025

    The Landslide Will Bring it Down: Grieving the Life and Death of a Mom to Addiction

    Hayley shares her experience of having a mom who struggled a lot of her life with the disease of addiction. She talks about the phases of their relationship through the years and her journey navigating her mother's overdose death. As a writer and advocate for substance abuse awareness, Hayley brings unique insights to perspectives on grief and addiction itself. Her mother was a big fan of Stevie Nicks and that inspired the title and cover art of this episode. Hayley will be launching a book soon related to this topic. I hope you get something helpful and hopeful out of this conversation. For more information about the Kids of Overdose Podcast, or to inquire on sharing your story, please visit kidsofo.com Episode Cover Image by Bartek Kopała from Pixabay. Music by Clavier Clavier from Pixabay

    54 min
  9. And So It Goes: A Mom Unexpectedly Lost to Substance Abuse

    03/22/2025

    And So It Goes: A Mom Unexpectedly Lost to Substance Abuse

    Jason lost his mom to un unexpected overdose of opiates. He shares his story of how he climbed through a window and found her, what life was like together and how his life has been going now without her. Jason is a musician and his mom would always go to all his shows, they both enjoyed Billy Joel and he hopes to create some music in memory of his mom very soon. Music from Pixabay. Cover Image by Demetros from Pixabay.

    22 min

  10. Trailer

    Kids of Overdose Podcast Trailer 2

    Short clip from episode 1 airing March 15, 2025. Interview with Kassandra.

    29 sec

  11. Trailer

    Kids of Overdose Podcast Trailer 1

    Short clip from episode 1 airing March 15, 2025. Interview with Kassandra.

    1 min
  12. Red Dragonflies, Beatles and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Story of Both Parents Lost to Addiction

    03/15/2025

    Red Dragonflies, Beatles and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Story of Both Parents Lost to Addiction

    Kassandra lost both her parents in her twenties to drug overdose. She describes what her relationship with her parents was like, her grieving experience when they died, what she's learned, and her favorite spiritual signs that keep them with her. This unique story of tragedy is uplifting as Cassandra speaks from the heart sharing the details of her journey through grief and loss, to overcoming through resilience. To share your story or to contact Candice at the show visit kidsofo.com Music from Pixabay. Image by Ylanite Koppens from Pixabay

    40 min

Trailers

About

People who have lost a parent to drug overdose, substance abuse disorder, or addiction share their personal stories of grief, how the death occurred, how it affected them and how it is influenced who and where they are today. These are stories of resilience and hope coming out of tragedy. The host, Candice, lost her dad to a cocaine overdose when she was five years old and out of a lifetime longing to want to relate and connect with people who have went through similar loss, she created Kids of Overdose over 30 years later. For an opportunity to share your story, visit kidsofo.com

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