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

Angela Kennecke
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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. 5 NGÀY TRƯỚC

    Inside Victoria’s Voice: The Diary That’s Waking Parents Up

    A 2012 documentary, The Queen of Versailles, introduced the world to David and Jackie Siegel, the powerhouse couple behind Westgate Resorts. The film showcased their booming business, lavish lifestyle, and bustling household of eight children. But behind the glamour, life took a devastating turn. The Siegels’ world came crashing down after the loss of their 18-year-old daughter, Victoria — a tragedy that reshaped not only their family but also their life’s work. While they knew about some of Victoria’s struggles, her diary revealed painful truths they never fully understood. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, you’ll hear Victoria’s story, what her family wishes they had known, and how they’re now using their grief to raise awareness and prevent other families from experiencing the same heartbreak. Purchase the diary - Victoria's Voice, Her Words from Beyond the Grave Visit the Victoria's Voice website Emily's Hope website Learn more about Angel Army Send us a text 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

    37 phút

  2. 22 THG 10

    A Paramedic Using His Battle With Addiction to Save Others

    On any given day, paramedics are called into chaos—heart attacks, car crashes, overdoses, and everything in between. For Aaron Westfall, those emergencies too often involve the painful grip of addiction. But instead of only seeing tragedy, he chooses to see the person behind the struggle. That’s because Aaron has been there himself. He not only battled his own addiction, but also survived brain cancer—twice—endured abuse, and mourned the devastating loss of the person he loved most as a child. His life has been shaped by pain most of us can hardly imagine. Yet through it all, Aaron has found resilience, purpose, and a way to help others. On this episode of Grieving Out Loud, he shares how he turned unimaginable hardships into hope—and what he wants you to understand about addiction from his perspective as both a paramedic and a survivor. If you enjoyed this episode, you may like the following: Stopping The Sigma: A look at Medications For Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) or Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)A paramedic’s harrowing shift from lifesaver to bereaved mother in the fentanyl crisisA Childhood Shaped by Loss, a Life Reclaimed in SobrietySend us a text 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

    34 phút

  3. 15 THG 10

    4,000 Tombstones on the National Mall Tell the Story of America’s Drug Crisis

    This fall, the National Mall in Washington, D.C., was transformed into a sea of grief and remembrance. Four thousand tombstones stretched across the grass—each one representing a life cut short by substances. The Trail of Truth was more than an event; it was a call to action, shining a light on the nation’s fentanyl and substance use disorder epidemic and urging lawmakers to finally take notice. Among the rows of stones, families gathered—mothers, fathers, siblings, and friends—united in both sorrow and determination. They came not only to mourn but to make sure their loved ones are never forgotten. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, some of those voices are shared. Angela recorded these interviews on-site at the Trail of Truth event in Washington D.C. The guests speak candidly about what it’s like to love someone battling substance use disorder—the frustration of trying to find help, the constant undercurrent of fear, and, for too many, the heartbreak of loss. These are raw, unfiltered stories. And that is exactly why they matter. Because the more openly this disease is spoken about, the less room shame and stigma have to silence the people who need help most. Read Angela's blog about the Trail of Truth: 4,000 Tombstones on the National Mall and One Named Emily The founder of Trail of Truth, Alexis Pleus, has been featured on the podcast twice before. Once on her own, sharing more about TruthPharm and underreported overdose deaths, and a second time to discuss the Trail of Truth alongside another grieving mother, Kimberly Douglas. You can listen to those episodes below: Shedding light on underreported overdose deaths with Truth Pharm Thousands of Tombstones by the U.S. Capitol to Honor Lives Lost to Substance Use Send us a text 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

    40 phút

  4. 8 THG 10

    Coping With Grief and Choosing Life After Tragedy

    From appearances on the Oprah Show to features in the Wall Street Journal, Dr. Ken Druck has long been recognized as a leading voice on grief. A pioneer in grief literacy, he has earned numerous honors, including the “Distinguished Contribution to Psychology” award. But what makes his voice so powerful isn’t just decades of expertise—it’s the personal heartbreak that shaped his path. When his 21-year-old daughter died in a tragic accident, Druck was forced to navigate the very journey he now helps others face.  In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, he shares how he found a way forward, and how you, too, can begin to rediscover joy after loss. He also offers everyday tools for coping with grief and building resilience, no matter where you are in your healing.  Visit Ken's website to learn more: https://www.kendruck.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, check out the following next:  What This Grief Expert Wants You to Know About Healing and HopeSurviving the holiday season while grievingMindfulness and Grief with Heather Stang‘It Was Like Going to My Own Funeral:’ Identical Twin Talks Life After Loss Send us a text 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

    50 phút

  5. 1 THG 10

    Why So Many Teens are Struggling, and What We’re Missing

    The numbers are heartbreaking. Nearly 40% of high school students say they feel persistently sad or hopeless, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About one in five reported struggling with anxiety or depression in just the past two weeks, and another one in five said they seriously considered suicide in the past year. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, we sit down with the researchers behind a powerful new book, Mind the Children, that digs into what’s fueling America’s youth mental health crisis. The authors—journalists, researchers, and clinicians—want parents and policymakers to understand the full picture. Too often, they say, the blame gets pinned on a single factor. But the truth is, there are many forces at work.    Today I'm joined by Naomi Schaefer Riley, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute who studies child welfare and foster care, and Dr. Ken Winters, a senior scientist at the Oregon Research Institute in Minnesota, and consultant at the Center for Indigenous Behavioral Health at the University of Iowa. Learn more about and purchase their book, Mind the Children, here. If you liked this episode, check out the following next:  Your To-Die List: Bestselling Author on Living Fully and ResilientlyA mother’s urgent message on mental health and addictionMental health expert offers advice after his own son battles depression, anxiety & addictionMother blames cannabis-induced psychosis for son’s death Send us a text 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

    41 phút

  6. 24 THG 9

    Choosing Love After a Hate Crime Took Her Son and Father

    From a school shooting in Minneapolis to bomb threats against Jewish hospitals in New York, hate crimes continue to make headlines across the country. FBI data shows that reported incidents rose by more than 200 in just one year, from 2022 to 2023. With every act of hate comes unimaginable grief, something today’s guest knows far too well. Mindy Corporon’s life was forever changed when a hate crime took the lives of both her 14-year-old son and her father. Rather than allowing her pain to turn into anger, she chose a different path, one rooted in kindness, compassion, and the belief that the world can be better. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Mindy shares her advice for those living with grief and her vision for how we can all move forward in a time marked by hate and division. Learn more about her mission at sevendays.org. Purchase Mindy's book, Healing a Shattered Soul, here: https://www.mindycorporon.com/healing-a-shattered-soul/ If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to check out the following:  Broken Heart Syndrome: 4 Ways We Grieve Changing lives through grief and the gift of pain Growing Up with Grief: Emily’s Siblings Open Up Send us a text 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

    41 phút

  7. 17 THG 9

    A Grieving Mother’s Story of Loving and Losing a Wild Child

    What began as a joyful winter break reunion quickly turned into tragedy. In January 2016, a group of college friends gathered at a lake house in southern Wisconsin to celebrate the new year. But before the celebration was over, four of them had vanished—including Sally McQuillen’s 21-year-old son, Christopher. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Sally shares her son’s story, the heartbreak that followed, and what it has been like to live with unimaginable loss. She opens up about the weight of fear, guilt, and regret—and how grief, while devastating, has also revealed the depth and power of love. Learn more about Sally's memoir: https://www.sallymcquillen.com/reaching-for-beautiful-memoir If you enjoyed this episode, check out Episode 214 "Growing Up with Grief: Emily’s Siblings Open Up": https://emilyshope.charity/episode/abby-adam-groth/ Send us a text 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

    40 phút

  8. 10 THG 9

    Thousands of Tombstones by the U.S. Capitol to Honor Lives Lost to Substance Use

    Picture this: 3,800 tombstones stretched out near the U.S. Capitol. Each one represents a life lost to substances— not a number, not a statistic — but a son, a daughter, a sibling, a friend. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, I sit down with Kimberly Douglas and Alexis Pleus, the women behind the Trail of Truth. For them, this mission is deeply personal. They’re turning their grief into action, demanding that lawmakers pay attention while hundreds of thousands of Americans die every year from alcohol and drugs. And now, even as the crisis grows, treatment and prevention programs are on the chopping block. Most importantly, you’ll hear what they believe needs to change to save lives. You can listen to Alexis's previous episode on Grieving Out Loud here.  Send us a text The Emily’s Hope Substance Use Prevention Curriculum has been carefully designed to address growing concerns surrounding substance use and overdose in our communities. Our curriculum focuses on age-appropriate and evidence-based content that educates children about the risks of substance use while empowering them to make healthy choices.  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

    39 phút
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Giới Thiệu

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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