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. 1d ago

    Everyone Saw His Success. Few Knew He Was Battling Addiction.

    Jason Granberg spent 25 years chasing a high, first with alcohol and later cocaine, believing the next dollar, success or possession would finally make him happy. Behind the success of building his own business, he was quietly battling depression and anxiety.  A few years ago, Jason made a decision that terrified him; he called a helpline and asked to be sent somewhere far away, leading him to 42 days of detox and treatment in New Jersey. He returned home and has remained in recovery ever since. Along the way, he learned that no amount of money can fill an empty place inside you. Today, Jason is up at 4 a.m., at the gym by 5 and facing life head-on instead of running from it.  In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, the owner of Granberg Landscaping and Concrete shares his story of addiction, recovery and learning to find and love himself. Related episodes: When Men Don’t Cry: Confronting the Culture of Silent Grief Chris Farley’s Brother on the Comedy That Hid the Pain ‘I lost who I was.’ Emily’s Hope Treatment Scholarship gives mom second chance 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. Sep 9

    Addiction Pulled Him Into the Heart of Mexico’s Cartel Country

    Nearly two decades of addiction took Austin Rampt to some of the darkest places of his life. He went through eight rehabilitation programs, crossed international borders searching for an escape, and eventually found himself living alongside members of the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico. It was there that Austin experienced a near-death moment he never saw coming. That moment became one part of a long journey toward change and recovery. Today, Austin is a business owner, a husband and a father of five. He is also the author of the memoir One Last Hit, where he shares his raw and honest story of addiction, survival and recovery. This is a conversation about the realities of addiction, hitting bottom and finding a way back. Learn more and purchase Austin's book here.  Related episodes:  The Voice You Knew — The Story You Didn’tAfter His Son’s Death, Music Executive Takes on Mental Health and Fentanyl CrisisA TV Anchor Shares Her Loss to Overdose and Efforts to End Stigma 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. Sep 2

    Moving Beyond Regret: A Mom's Message After Losing Her Son to Suicide

    Regret and the tendency to punish ourselves can show up in everyday moments, like forgetting your phone at home, or in life-altering ways, like wondering what you could have done differently to prevent a tragedy. Today’s guest on Grieving Out Loud shares why holding onto that regret can be so damaging. Stephanie Renner lost her 18-year-old son, Jordon, to suicide after years of mental health struggles. Even after 25 years as an attorney helping CEOs and leaders navigate high-stakes decisions, nothing prepared her for the emotional trial she faced in the aftermath of her son’s death. What she discovered wasn’t a way to go back, but a way to move forward. From that journey, she created the “Regret to Resilience Method,” a framework designed to help others release guilt and shame and begin healing. In this episode, Stephanie shares her story, the lessons she’s learned, and how her approach is helping people rebuild with renewed purpose and authentic confidence after trauma or loss. Learn more about Stephanie's speaking, workshops, and coaching services here.  Related episodes: Author Peggy Green on surviving your child’s suicideA Young, Accomplished Woman’s Secret Struggle with Addiction Results in SuicideMother 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. Aug 26

    ‘The Avenue was Truly Peer Pressure:’ Mom Warns Parents After Son’s Fentanyl Death

    Anne Fundner lost her 15-year-old son, Weston, to fentanyl poisoning in 2022. Weston was a high school freshman, a kid who was loved, supported, and given every opportunity his family could provide. But in one moment of peer pressure, he took a pill he thought was something else. It contained fentanyl, and he never woke up that February morning. Anne has refused to let Weston’s life be reduced to a statistic. Since his death, she has spoken on some of the biggest stages in the country, testified before Congress, and fought for legislation in his name. Now, she’s focused on a message she believes every parent needs to hear: the importance of talking to kids about peer pressure. Anne says fentanyl took her son’s life, but the avenue that led him there was peer pressure. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Anne shares Weston’s story, what she wishes she could have done differently, and how she’s working to prevent other families from experiencing the pain she knows all too well. Related episodes:  Uniting for change: A bereaved mother organizes D.C. march to combat fentanyl crisisThe Cop Who Had to Investigate Her Own Daughter’s DeathHe Wanted Justice for His Son, So He Became the InvestigatorSend 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. Aug 19

    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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

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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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