Logan's Voice

Doug Ballinger - Logan's Dad

Logan’s Voice is a raw, personal podcast about loss, addiction, illicit fentanyl, and the people left behind. Created by a grieving father, this show honors his son, Logan, and gives voice to those silenced by stigma. Through solo episodes and honest conversations, we talk about grief, healing, and the fight to save lives. I am Logan’s voice. I am Logan’s dad. And I will not remain silent.

  1. 4d ago

    Life Lessons with Logan's Dad: I'm 66, and I'm Still Figuring Life Out!

    I'm 66 years old, and I've got a confession to make. I still don't know what the hell I'm doing half the time! 😂 Welcome to the very first episode of Life Lessons with Logan's Dad, a new series of honest conversations about life, love, laughter, loss, and everything we're still figuring out along the way. I used to think that by the time I reached this age, I'd have all the answers. Turns out, life doesn't come with an instruction manual, and some of its most important lessons take decades to learn. In this episode, we're talking about five things I've learned along the way: • Why being right isn't always worth the argument. • Why we need to stop waiting for the perfect time to start living. • Why other people's opinions don't have to determine our happiness. • How life can be beautiful and difficult at the same time. • Why we're never too old to learn, grow, change, or begin again. Along the way, I'll share some personal experiences, a little humor, and some reflections on losing my son Logan, navigating life's unexpected challenges, and learning that moving forward doesn't mean leaving the people we love behind. Some of these lessons took me years to understand. Others came through experiences I wouldn't wish on anybody. But here's what I know: We don't have to have everything figured out to enjoy the life we're living. Here's something I'd love you to think about: If you could go back and tell your younger self one thing about life, what would it be? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Whether you're watching on Spotify or listening on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, or wherever you enjoy podcasts, thanks for spending a little time with me. This isn't about having all the answers. It's about having conversations, sharing experiences, laughing when we can, and learning from one another. I'm Logan's Dad. I'm 66 years old. And I'm still figuring this life thing out! Life Lessons with Logan's DadSeason 1, Episode 1Running time: 19 minutes, 22 seconds

    Life Lessons with Logan's Dad: I'm 66, and I'm Still Figuring Life Out!
  2. Jun 12

    David's Story - A Mother's Fight and a System That Failed

    🎙️ Stories That Matter: David's Story | A Mother's Fight and a System That Failed What happens when a young man's journey into addiction begins not on the street, but after a medical procedure? In this powerful episode of Stories That Matter, Rhonda Coffey shares the story of her son David, a son she loved fiercely and fought for through years of addiction, treatment attempts, relapse, hope, heartbreak, and ultimately loss. David's story highlights the realities many families face:• Addiction that began with prescribed medication• The pill mill era and easy access to opioids• The revolving door of treatment and relapse• Insurance and system barriers• The emotional toll on parents and families• The challenges of accountability and investigation after a loss• The lifelong journey of grief But most importantly, this is the story of a person. A son.A brother.A human being whose life mattered. Rhonda speaks with honesty, courage, and compassion about what she wishes families understood, what she learned through her grief, and why she continues to speak out today. If you are a parent, a person in recovery, someone who has lost a loved one, or simply someone who wants to better understand the complexity of addiction, this conversation is for you. David's story matters.Rhonda's voice matters. And by sharing stories like this, we hope to replace judgment with understanding and stigma with compassion. 📌 Please like, subscribe, and share to help us reach more families. #StoriesThatMatter #DavidsStory #RhondaCoffey #LogansVoice #AddictionAwareness #Recovery #GriefSupport #FentanylAwareness #EndTheStigma #PoisonedDrugSupply #MentalHealthAwareness

    David's Story - A Mother's Fight and a System That Failed
  3. Jun 5

    Nicholas's Story as told by his mom

    n this deeply honest episode of Stories That Matter, Doug Ballinger Jr. sits down with author and grieving mother Katie Rizzo to share the story of her son, Nicholas.Nicholas was more than the way he died. He was funny, loved deeply, had dreams, struggles, and a family who loved him fiercely. Katie shares the painful reality of watching someone you love battle substance use disorder, the chaos addiction can create within a family, and the lifelong grief that follows traumatic loss.Together, Doug and Katie talk about stigma, silence, recovery, grief, harm reduction, family dynamics, and the importance of telling the truth about addiction and overdose loss with compassion instead of judgment.Katie also shares how writing became part of her healing journey and discusses her upcoming books:📖 The Trimesters of GriefReleasing October 6 through Koehler Books📖 None of Them Are YouA poetry collection releasing November 1st on Día de los Muertos through Extra Extra PublishingKatie Rizzo Links:Website:https://katierizzo.comLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-rizzo-098978280Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/rizzoboysandagirl/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/katierizzo007TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@katie.rizzo007If this conversation touched your heart, please like, subscribe, and share. Stories like these remind grieving families they are not alone.LogansVoice.org#StoriesThatMatter #LogansVoice #AddictionAwareness #GriefSupport #OverdoseAwareness #EndStigma #RecoveryIsPossible #MentalHealthAwareness #FentanylAwareness #SubstanceUseDisorder

    Nicholas's Story as told by his mom
  4. May 1

    Rayce's Story as told by his mom Tina Kennedy

    Rayce was more than what happened to him. He was a son, a person deeply loved, and a life that mattered.In this episode of Stories That Matter, Tina Kennedy shares the story of her son, Rayce Anthony Kennedy, and the painful reality of losing him to fentanyl poisoning at just 25 years old. Together, we talk about who Rayce was beyond addiction, the early signs, the challenges of navigating treatment, the heartbreak of escalation, and the lasting impact grief leaves behind.This conversation also explores mental health, denial, stigma, the dangers of today’s poisoned drug supply, and the advocacy Tina stepped into after loss through her work to raise awareness and save lives.Rayce’s story is not just about tragedy. It is about love, memory, warning, and purpose.If you are a parent, someone in recovery, grieving a loved one, or trying to better understand addiction and loss, this episode is for you.Topics discussed in this episode include:• Substance use disorder and fentanyl poisoning• Mental health and early intervention• Family impact and grief after loss• Treatment system challenges• Harm reduction and awareness• Advocacy after losing a child• Hope, healing, and remembering a life that matteredTina’s interview centers on honoring Rayce as a whole person while helping others understand the realities families face when addiction enters the picture.If this conversation moves you, please share it. Stories like this help break stigma, create understanding, and remind grieving families they are not alone.Subscribe to Logan’s Voice and Stories That Matter for more conversations that bring truth, awareness, hope, and healing. Chase Away Fentanyl - facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579144951034 website - https://chaseawayfentanyl.org/ #StoriesThatMatter #LogansVoice #FentanylAwareness #AddictionAwareness #GriefSupport #MentalHealth #EndTheStigma #RayceKennedy #PoisonedDrugSupply #NaloxoneSavesLives

    Rayce's Story as told by his mom Tina Kennedy
  5. Apr 26

    Loving Someone Through Addiction - Cameron’s Story Told by Bethany Jackson - Stories That Matter

    What does it mean to love someone who is battling addiction when you are not part of that world yourself?In this powerful episode of "Stories That Matter", Bethany Jackson shares the story of Cameron, the man she loved for seven to eight years, and the reality of navigating life alongside someone in active addiction. This is a conversation about love, hope, boundaries, heartbreak, and the emotional weight carried by partners and families who often suffer quietly behind the scenes.Bethany opens up about who Cameron truly was beyond addiction, the progression of his struggles, the impact on family, the search for answers after he disappeared, and the grief that followed after his passing.This episode is for:• Anyone who has loved someone struggling with addiction• Partners trying to balance love with boundaries• Families navigating mental health and substance use• Those grieving the loss of someone they cared deeply for• Anyone searching for understanding, compassion, and connectionCameron’s story reminds us that addiction affects more than one person. It reaches into relationships, families, and futures. Behind every loss is a human story that deserves to be heard.If this episode resonates with you, please like, comment, and subscribe to help us continue sharing stories that matter.🎙️ Logan’s Voice🌐 LogansVoice.org📺 Subscribe for more stories of grief, healing, recovery, and hope💙 You are not alone#StoriesThatMatter #LogansVoice #AddictionAwareness #SubstanceUseDisorder #GriefSupport #MentalHealthAwareness #LoveAndLoss #FentanylAwareness #RecoveryJourney #TraumaticLoss #HealingThroughStorytelling #AddictionRecovery #HopeAfterLoss

    Loving Someone Through Addiction - Cameron’s Story Told by Bethany Jackson - Stories That Matter
  6. Apr 10

    Forest Bathing and the Science of Slowing Down

    What if healing doesn’t come from pushing harder… but from slowing down?In this episode of Stories That Matter, a Logan’s Voice series, Doug sits down with Lori Carter, a certified forest bathing guide and Reiki practitioner, to explore how grief lives in the body, not just the mind.Because grief isn’t only emotional.It’s physical.It’s neurological.And sometimes, your body doesn’t feel safe anymore.In this conversation, we break down:• Why grief can feel like anxiety, panic, or exhaustion• How the nervous system responds to loss like a threat• What “forest bathing” really is and why it works• The science behind slowing down and reconnecting with nature• Simple ways to begin healing, even if you feel overwhelmed• How energy work like Reiki can help release what’s stuckThis episode is for anyone carrying grief, stress, or emotional weight that feels too heavy to hold.You are not broken.Your body is trying to protect you.And healing might be closer than you think.If this episode resonates with you, please share it.You never know who needs to hear this today.Lori's links to all the stuffInsta: Interconnected_forest_therapyFacebook: InterconnectedForestTherapyWebsite: https://nwaforesttherapy.com/Book your own private or group session or join one already scheduled: https://www.forestbathingfinder.com/guide-profile/interconnectedft/To book an in person or distance reiki session with me: https://stan.store/interconnectedreiki🌐 Resources and support: https://LogansVoice.org

    Forest Bathing and the Science of Slowing Down

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About

Logan’s Voice is a raw, personal podcast about loss, addiction, illicit fentanyl, and the people left behind. Created by a grieving father, this show honors his son, Logan, and gives voice to those silenced by stigma. Through solo episodes and honest conversations, we talk about grief, healing, and the fight to save lives. I am Logan’s voice. I am Logan’s dad. And I will not remain silent.