Grieving Out Loud: A Mother Coping with Loss in the Opioid Epidemic
Angela Kennecke
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Angela Kennecke is a journalist who lost her 21-year-old daughter Emily to fentanyl poisoning on May 16, 2018. Angela is "grieving out loud" to try to put an end to this epidemic by stopping the stigma and promoting the treatment of substance use disorder as the disease it is. Anyone coping with loss and looking for inspiration can benefit from listening to this podcast.
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6 days ago
Grieving mother wants to teach other parents how to protect their kids from drugs
Fentanyl poisoning is now the number one cause of death for people ages 18 to 45. Licensed Clinical Social Worker Phyllis Babrove knows that all too well. She lost her daughter to the epidemic; now, she has a warning for other parents.
Babrove believes the drug situation in the U.S. is destroying American families. That's why she wrote the book "Words From A Mother In Mourning: How To Protect Your Child From Drugs."
In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, host Angela Kennecke sits down with Babrove to hear her advice.
Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Jan 18, 2023
Woman who battled heroin addiction for years now calls herself a “hope dealer.”
In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, host Angela Kennecke sits down with Honesty Liller, a recovering addict and "Hope Dealer" for those battling substance use disorders.
Honesty shares her story of addiction, including her near-fatal overdose at 17 and giving birth to her daughter while on heroin. Now in long-term recovery, Honesty talks about the importance of addressing the growing need for help for those struggling with addiction. Honesty has also written a book about her experiences. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Jan 11, 2023
Narcan Nate: From selling drugs to saving hundreds from dying
As the U.S. struggles with a deadly drug epidemic, Nathan Smiddy has made it his mission to prevent deaths and mourning. He believes that by distributing Narcan, he has saved around 450 lives in the past year.
The issue hits home for “Narcan Nate” because he started not only using but selling drugs in high school. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, hear how Nate overcame his substance use disorder after a couple of close encounters with death.
Nate has created a Go Fund Me page to help with his efforts at https://www.gofundme.com/f/narcan-nate-fund. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Jan 4, 2023
Revolutionizing the way you think about grief and mourning
Maria Kliavokoff is a former hospice worker who now helps people learn how to grieve healthily. As a grief coach, Maria is trying to revolutionize our thoughts about grief and mourning. Her website, Healthy Mourning, provides grief resources and online grief support to ensure healthy grief and healthy mourning. They are there to support you and help you through your grief journey, teach you how to cope with your grief by reframing it, and they are dedicated to supporting you as you convert your grief to mourning and heal from your grief journey so that you may be free to live your best life.
In 2019 she published her first book, Healthy Mourning, Happy Loving, 52 Ways to Convert Your Grief to Mourning with Ease and Grace. Her next two books, Healthy Mourning in a Grief Pandemic and Healthy Mourning for Womb Twin Survivors, are currently in the works.
In this episode, Angela and Maria discuss grief, and Maria gives practical advice for anyone coping with loss. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Dec 28, 2022
The Tornado: An interview with Melissa Flynn about stepson's overdose
Originally released on April 14th, 2019
Your host of Grieving Out Loud, Angela Kennecke, first met Melissa Flynn just a few months after Emily died. Melissa contacted Angela to see how she could help with her newly formed charity, Emily's Hope. Melissa had lost her 25-year-old stepson, Nicholas, to fentanyl poisoning just ten days after Emily died. Angela and Melissa met, and they have been doing advocacy work together ever since.
In this episode, Melissa talks about losing Nicholas to a fentanyl overdose, her frustration in attempting to get him help, and what she has learned during this challenging journey. Melissa is sharing her family's story in hopes that others in a similar situation will benefit. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Dec 21, 2022
Brandon Novak’s Story: from fame to homelessness to helping others find recovery
Originally released on August 16, 2020
Brandon Novak was a world-famous champion skateboarder. However, he was also in his first treatment center for addiction to heroin at age 17. Brandon went on to co-star in TV and movies in the MTV Jackass and Viva La BAM series. To his numerous fans, he seemed to have it all. He was getting paid to skate and hang out with his friends, but Brandon Novak's life was crumbling into several pieces off-screen. At age 35, after several years of being an addict, the once-rising celebrity burned out and ultimately hit rock bottom. He was now homeless, begging for money on the streets of Baltimore and living under a bridge. Brandon went to his thirteenth rehab for help with nothing left to lose. More than four years later, Brandon Novak is sober, living in Philadelphia, and has turned his life around.
Brandon and Angela Kennecke met at the 2019 DEA 360 Los Angeles Opioid Awareness Youth Summit, where they spoke to 5,000 high school students, telling their individual stories. Along with speaking out about his addiction and recovery journey, Brandon has become a recovery advocate for Banyan Treatment Centers. He works with them to show others that recovery is possible and it is never too late. He has also become a Certified Intervention Professional to help people struggling to get their addicted loved ones into treatment.Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Dec 14, 2022
Woman's husband and son both die of overdose 20 years apart to the day
Maura Jamie thought she had experienced the worst loss of her life when her 25-year-old husband died in 2001 from a heroin overdose. Ironically, on the 20th anniversary of her husband's death, Maura lost their 22-year-old son Carter to fentanyl poisoning.
Maura also battled her own substance use disorder for nearly two decades. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, your host, Angela Kennecke, talked with Maura about how the drug epidemic has shattered her life in unimaginable ways.
Maura creates digital memorial frames for people who've lost loved ones in the drug epidemic. You can find out more here.Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Dec 7, 2022
From addiction counselor to policy maker: Nation's former Deputy Drug Czar on ending overdose crisis
Art Kleinschmidt was the Deputy Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy or Deputy Drug Czar under President Trump. He also served on the Domestic Policy Council in the White House as Senior Advisor for mental health & addiction, as well as the same role for SAMHSA. Art is in long-term recovery from substance use disorder and became a licensed clinician who has extensive experience with treatment. He is also the founder of the Recovery for America Now Foundation, which provides treatment scholarships to treatment centers across the country. Art discusses his unconventional path to D.C. and how to solve the overdose crisis in this episode of Grieving Out Loud.
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Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Nov 30, 2022
Surviving the holiday season while grieving
Your host of Grieving Out Loud, Angela Kennecke, first met Dr. Mark Vande Braak shortly after the death of her 21-year-old daughter, Emily. Dr. Vande Braak sat down with Angela’s entire family to help them “reframe” their loss.
Dr. Mark Vande Braak is a board-certified music therapist and Thanatologist (grief educator). He previously spoke with Angela on Episode 10 of Grieving Out Loud, Broken Heart Syndrome: 4 Ways We Grieve. Now, Mark is back on the podcast for this episode to take about coping with loss over the holiday season when grief can come into sharp focus, as we intensely miss the ones who are no longer with us to celebrate all of our family traditions.Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Nov 23, 2022
What two mothers have learned following the deaths of their daughters
Originally released July 15th, 2019
Celia Farmer, unfortunately, knows the pain of losing a child to suicide. Her 14-year-old daughter, Mali, completed suicide in 2017. Celia was among the first parents who've experienced loss to reach out to Angela after Emily died from fentanyl poisoning. Both Celia and Angela have experienced the stigmatized death of a child, where parents can find themselves being harshly judged by society.
In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Angela and Celia share how they have coped with their losses and what has helped and hurt them most. Both have found healing in focusing on helping others. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Nov 16, 2022
Nick Schivito's story; another young life cut short by fentanyl
*Brenda Schivito says her son Nick’s drug usage began when he was just a kid and would ride his bike to the gas station and buy Spice, a synthetic marijuana. The adverse side effects of Spice include psychosis, hallucinations, delirium, and paranoia. When Nick was older, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and his battle with substance use disorder kicked into high gear. Nick died of fentanyl poisoning at the age of 22. *
*In response to their family’s tragedy, Brenda started **Angels Against Addiction**, a non-profit organization that is raising awareness and helping people getting out of inpatient treatment for substance use disorder transition into recovery communities. *
*Brenda also hosts a cable program called, **You Are Not Alone**.*Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Nov 9, 2022
Why drug dealers are putting fentanyl into all of their products
Former drug dealer Scott Silverman now helps families in crisis navigate the road to recovery. The California man is also the author of The Opioid Epidemic: What You Don't Know Will Destroy Your Family and Your Life. Your host, Angela Kennecke, has a frank conversation with Scott about the public health crisis involving fentanyl.
Scott is a crisis coach and family navigator and runs a recovery center in San Diego. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, he has advice for families dealing with someone with active addiction. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Nov 2, 2022
Life after ‘The Pharmacist’ for Dan Schneider: A new mission
In our last episode, we introduced you to the central character of the Netflix docuseries, The Pharmacist, Dan Schneider. Dan told us he had no idea his son was using crack before he was murdered in New Orleans in the late 90’s. While police didn’t show much interest in his son’s case, Dan took it upon himself to use every investigative tool at the time to find his son’s killer. But the story doesn’t end there. In his role as a pharmacist, Dan was among the first to spot the opioid epidemic in this country and actually do something about it, shutting down pill mill doctors and pushing for a prescription monitoring program in his state. Dan has never stopped pushing for change to save lives, lost unnecessarily to drugs. Now he’s turning his attention to the availability of medically assisted treatment, or MAT for short. He has started a coalition and your host Angela Kennecke is now a part of it.
Dan talks about this partnership with Dr. Arun Gupta. You can listen to our po…
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Oct 26, 2022
'The Pharmacist' Dan Schneider gives the backstory on the hit Netflix documentary
Netflix docuseries, The Pharmacist, shows how Dan Schneider solved his son's murder in the case of a drug deal gone wrong. Schneider was an early identifier of the opioid crisis in this country and pushed for reform. He joins your host, Angela Kennecke, for two episodes of Grieving Out Loud to give us all the twists and turns in the case and how the unbelievable unfolded. In this first episode, Schneider shares what happened to his son, how he pushed police to take the case seriously, and even befriended his son's killer. Schneider talks about forgiveness. He says he is driven by a greater purpose to save the lives of other people's children when he recognized the plight of opioids on young people and the medical system's role in it.
You can learn more about all of Schneider's efforts on his website: Tunnel of Hope.
Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey W…
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Oct 19, 2022
Wife of ND governor shares her own battle with addiction to end stigma
Shortly after her husband, Doug, was elected governor of North Dakota in 2016, Kathryn Burgum decided to share her personal story. Burgum is in recovery for substance use disorder after battling alcohol addiction for 20 years. Her platform as First Lady of North Dakota is to end the shame and stigma surrounding the disease of addiction. Kathryn’s Recovery Reinvented event is coming up on November 3rd, and you can participate. She shares what keeps her in recovery and what she's doing to change attitudes and get people help in her state in this episode of Grieving Out Loud.
Register for Recovery Reinvented on Nov 3rd here.
Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Oct 12, 2022
Signing off air to focus on the mission of Emily’s Hope
Don’t let the title of this episode fool you. Angela is NOT signing off on this podcast, In fact, you’ll be hearing more from Angela on this platform. But she has signed off on her last broadcast after a 35-year television career to focus on the mission of Emily’s Hope. Angela talks about what went into her decision precipitated by the death of her oldest daughter at age 21 and how she is now determined to save as many lives as possible.
The two books mentioned as inspiration in this podcast:
*From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life. ** *by Albert C. Brooks
*The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life**, *by David Brooks
Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Oct 5, 2022
Mother puts up billboards after daughter's fentanyl death
27-year-old Mariah Earp, a mother to three children, died of fentanyl poisoning in 2020 after taking what she thought was Xanax. Now her mother, Rachel Carlisle has become an outspoken advocate to break the stigma and tell Mariah’s story on TikTok, where her videos have received more than 200,000 likes. Rachel says he wants other parents to know it’s okay to talk about the loss of a child to fentanyl and to know they are not alone, just like we do on this podcast. Rachel also had billboards put up with her daughter's photo in her Indiana community to draw attention to fentanyl pills flooding the area.
Find Rachel on TikTok: @JustMeRachelC
Find Emily's Hope on TikTok: @EmilysHope_
Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Sep 28, 2022
How stigma is killing people with Dr. Nzinga Harrison
Dr. Nzinga Harrison is working to change the conversation around substance use disorder and encouraging it to be treated like any other disease. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, she shares a new approach to those who suffer from addiction which involves compassion and support.
Dr. Harrison is the Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of Eleanor Health, whose mission is to help people affected by addiction live full, healthy lives. She was also featured in the documentary, Tipping the Pain Scale.
Find the podcast Dr. Nzinga Harrison discusses in this episode of Grieving Out Loud here - *In Recovery with Dr. Nzinga Harrison.*
*www.emilyshope.charity*Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Sep 21, 2022
How to help people in grief
Your host, Angela Kennecke, has brought you conversations she has had with different speakers and authors from the Bereaved Parents USA Conference over the last four weeks. This week, Angela wraps up the series with a conversation she had with Pat Sheveland.
Angela and Pat first met in 2020, when she was a guest on Grieving Out Loud, for the first time. Since that conversation, Pat has lost her mother and now has a new book called The Confident Grief Coach. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Pat shares even more about the best ways to cope with loss.
Listen to Pat's first episode with Angela, Strategies for Survival after the Loss of a Child, here.Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Sep 14, 2022
“In a way I was glad I was the one who found him:” mother on loss of son to fentanyl
Your host, Angela Kennecke, is bringing you conversations she had with different speakers and authors at the Bereaved Parents USA Conference in St. Louis in July. She recorded podcasts with women who have dealt with grief and transformed it into helping others cope.
The death of Brenda’s son, Kevin’s addiction to painkillers, started after a traumatic brain injury. The loss of Kevin took Brenda down a new path to study grief and help others in this unfortunate club of bereaved parents.
Next week, Angela will be bringing you her final interview from the national gathering.
www.emilyshope.foundation
Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Sep 7, 2022
The unconventional way a grieving mom helps others transform their pain
Your host, Angela Kennecke, is bringing you conversations she had with different speakers and authors at the Bereaved Parents USA Conference in St. Louis in July. She recorded podcasts with women who have dealt with grief and transformed it into helping others cope.
Beth D’Angelo is an incredibly deep and spiritual person, in spite of, or perhaps because of, the loss of one of her three children. Beth is finding purpose and meaning after the loss of her 19-year-old son, Sean. She is the co-founder of Healing Through Hope, a non-profit that helps people cope with loss. Angela was lucky enough to take part in one of her healing sound baths at the conference, which uses Tibetan Bowls and other sound makers, along with meditation to help people heal.
In this episode, Beth shares where she gets her strength and how she believes her son continues to guide her.
Next week, Angela will be bringing you another interview from the Bereaved Parents Conference.
Grieving Out Loud with Angela Ke…
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Sep 1, 2022
Author Peggy Green on surviving your child's suicide
Your host, Angela Kennecke, is bringing you conversations she had with different speakers and authors at the Bereaved Parents USA Conference in St. Louis in July. She recorded podcasts with women who have dealt with grief and transformed it into helping others cope.
Peggy Green sadly lost her baby girl at daycare, then suffered child loss again when her adult son completed suicide. As a grief coach and author, Peggy is now helping others move through their grief to healing. Her new book, “Survive Your Child’s Suicide,” is now being released.
Next week, Angela will be bringing you another interview from the Bereaved Parents Conference.
www.emilyshope.foundationSupport the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Aug 24, 2022
A mother's grief journey and how it changed her life
For the next five weeks, your host, Angela Kennecke, will be bringing you conversations that she had with different speakers and authors at the Bereaved Parents USA Conference in St. Louis in July. She recorded podcasts with women who have dealt with their own grief and have transformed it into helping others cope.
We are kicking off this series with Diane Bergeron and coping with grief. One of her identical twins died shortly after birth, and this loss changed the trajectory of her life and that of her entire family. As a Ph.D. researcher, she is now focusing on how businesses and organizations can support bereaved employees.
Read Diane Bergeron’s blog on leaving everything behind to live on a sailboat with her family for two years here: https://sailingunchartedwaters.com/
Next week, Angela will be bringing you another interview from the Bereaved Parents Conference.
*www.emilyshope.foundation*Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website,…
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Aug 18, 2022
17-year-old makes a fatal mistake via Snapchat
It’s becoming an all-too-common story; a young person buys a pill via social media that turns out to be 100 percent fentanyl. Laura Didier’s 17-year-old son, Zach, was experimenting with a couple of pills when he made this fatal mistake. Now Laura is turning her heartbreak into action through advocacy work and helping other parents who’ve lost children to fentanyl poisoning through the organization Song for Charlie.Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Aug 10, 2022
A grandmother raising her granddaughter due to the drug epidemic
Lana Olshove is among the more than one million grandparents raising a grandchild due to the drug epidemic. That grandchild is Maddie, who came to live with her five years ago when she was in kindergarten. Lana's son is currently in prison for meth, and Maddie's mother, who also suffered from substance use disorder, was murdered by another man when Maddie was four years old.
Lana and Maddie are speaking out because they want people to know how addiction affects many others in a family. Maddie knows being raised by a grandparent is different from other kids' experiences. She is passionate about telling her story to educate other kids on the perils of drug use.
www.emilyshope.foundationSupport the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Aug 3, 2022
Alcohol and women: A dangerous combination
Women are drinking more than ever before, as much as men for the first time in history. Dr. Jessica Mellinger says today’s stressors make women an easy target by the alcohol industry. Dr. Mellinger is a liver doctor at the University of Michigan who sees more young women with liver disease, and she says a woman who drinks like a man gets sicker, faster. She hopes educating women about what moderate drinking really means, will turn this dangerous trend around.
Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Jul 28, 2022
Mother loses only child to fentanyl poisoning
Susan Bartz Herrick’s only child Luke was “set up” for addiction due to several factors while still in his teens. He had years of sobriety and accomplishments but experienced setback after setback. On August 28th, 2021, Susan lost her 30-year-old son, Luke, to fentanyl poisoning. She is now speaking out to tell Luke’s story and advocate for substance use disorder. Soon, Susan will release a book and potentially a film that chronicle’s his life and loss.Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Jul 18, 2022
A sister’s role in getting brother off opioids
Maryrose Fealey gained TikTok fame as she shared her relationship with her brother, Ian, who suffers from opioid use disorder, through a series of raw videos. Maryrose’s efforts to get Ian off substances and into recovery are shown in a gritty Brut Documentary that followed Ian and Maryrose for 21 days while he suffered through withdrawals and cravings.
Maryrose is the founder of the 4 The Younger Me movement. Maryrose started this movement to change the stigma surrounding the addiction community and empower our youth.
www.emilyshope.foundationSupport the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Jul 4, 2022
An Unconventional Life: Morgan Godvin's Story
To say that Morgan Godvin has had an unconventional life is an understatement. Morgan grew up with two mothers and always knew that her father was a sperm donor. She was very bright and excelled in school, but an emptiness inside, along with being bullied, led her to drugs. Addiction also ran in her family. She lost her mother and several close friends to overdose. Eventually, Morgan wound up in prison. Morgan just graduated from college at the top of her class and is now working to end overdose and overhaul the criminal justice system when it comes to drug crimes. She had a lot to say in this podcast that everyone needs to hear.
Morgan's non-profit using hip-hop to end overdose: Beats Overdose.Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Jun 26, 2022
CRUSHing the Stigma
Rod Courtney was a probation and parole officer and trained social worker. But even with that experience, Rod Courtney couldn’t save his son. Chad, who was 38, died of fentanyl poisoning in 2016. Following his son’s death, Rod has dedicated his life to helping those who suffer from substance use disorder and their families. Rod’s advocacy work includes serving as Executive Director of CRUSH of Iowa, which stands for Community Resources to Stop Heroin. He talks about how he copes with his loss and helps support other parents who have lost children to overdose or are dealing with addiction in their children. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Jun 19, 2022
Prison couldn't do it, but fitness, mindfulness & healthy eating helped turn one man's life around
The fact that Garrett Sheppard is alive at all is a miracle. Garrett struggles with several mental conditions from anxiety to depression to PTSD and ADHD. He started using meth at a young age, and pretty soon it didn't matter what kind of drug he took, he couldn’t live without them. Sheppard has a long list of felonies on his record and tried to complete suicide multiple times.
However, today Garrett has turned his life around by getting psychological help, plus incorporating exercise and a healthy diet. Now he’s reaching out to others who are "hard to love," which is the name of his program that helps people suffering from substance use disorder, find their way to recovery.
Sheppard shares his story and how weight lifting and healthy eating have made a huge difference for his brain in this latest edition of Grieving Out Loud.
Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast pr…
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Jun 9, 2022
How suppressed grief shows up in unexpected ways
Ashley Bernardi lost her father at 11 years old. She has also dealt with a chronic illness. During the pandemic, Ashley spent time writing and interviewing some of the top experts in grief, PTSD, and postpartum depression and created her book, Authentic Power. Whether you are going through death, divorce, illness, or any life adversity, the book provides the tools to teach you how to move through your pain, let down the mask of strength, and feel your genuine emotions in order to heal.
More on Ashley Bernardi's book here.Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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May 30, 2022
Kentucky's Teacher of the Year secret struggle with addiction
Jessica Duenas was Kentucky's teacher of the year in 2019. But she had a dark secret that no one would have imagined. She was an active alcoholic that couldn’t survive a day without drinking. Once she decided to get help, she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. After getting sober, Jessica entered into a new relationship with a man named Ian, who was in recovery from opioid addiction. In April of 2020, Ian relapsed and died. Jessica has not only been traumatized by her own addiction but the fentanyl poisoning of a loved one as well. She shares how she has survived and is now even thriving in this latest edition of Grieving Out Loud.
Learn more about Jessica's Bottomless to Sober Project here.
Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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May 15, 2022
The other Faith Hill who calls herself toothless and ruthless
She's the Faith Hill of Missouri, not Nashville. Faith used meth for six years, starting at age 14, and lost all of her teeth because of it. After finding recovery, Faith decided to document her journey, from having no teeth to what it was like to have dentures, on social media. Faith’s handle on TikTok is “I am toothless and ruthless” and she has nearly two million followers to date. Her life experience has made this 23-year-old wise beyond her years. She's also lost many friends to drugs.
She shares her battle with addiction, how she found recovery and why she was willing to take out her dentures for millions in this latest episode of Grieving Out Loud.
Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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May 1, 2022
From addiction to grief, best-selling author tackles tough subjects
Author Kathleen Glasgow drew upon her own experiences as a teenager to write her first best-selling book, Girl in Pieces, which covered tough topics such as self-harm and depression. She has also poignantly dealt with other difficult subjects in her books, written for young adults, including how addiction affects the entire family, to coping with the loss of a loved one. Kathleen and Angela have an open and honest open and honest conversation about why we need to make these topics more available for teens in the latest episode of Grieving Out Loud.
Kathleen Glasgow is the author of The Agathas, You'd Be Home Now, How to Make Friends with the Dark, Girl in Pieces, which is a New York Times bestseller and Target Book Club pick.
Connect with Kathleen Glascow here:
*Twitter:* @kathglasgow
*Instagram: *@misskathleenglasgow
*TikTok:* @kathleenglasgow.
*Website: * www.kathleenglasgowbooks.com
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Apr 23, 2022
Father sounds alarm bells over drug dealing on social media after son poisoned
On February 7, 2021, a drug dealer reached out to 16-year-old Sammy Chapman on Snapchat and delivered a deadly dose of fentanyl to his Los Angeles home. Sammy's story went viral after his parents shared it because his mom, Dr. Laura Berman, is a nationally known relationship expert and TV host. She and her husband, Sam Chapman, are doing all they can to warn parents and hold social media companies accountable. Sam Chapman found his son in his bedroom. Now he shares how he and his family have coped with Sammy’s death and what they’re doing not only to educate parents, but also to require more from social medial companies.
Learn more about their efforts here on the Parents For Safer Children website.Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Apr 9, 2022
Former Congresswoman Mary Bono's Advocacy in the Opioid Epidemic
You may recognize Mary Bono, as the widow of Sonny Bono who filled his seat in Congress and then went on to serve nearly 15 years as a California representative. Mary was on the forefront, warning about the opioid epidemic in the early 2,000s. She's had family members deal with opioid addiction who have since found recovery.
Mary is now a tireless advocate as Chairman of the Board of Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, as well as Chairman and CEO for Mothers Against Prescription Drug Abuse and a Board Member for SAFE Project. You can listen to Admiral Winnefeld on the podcast here in Episode 57.
Mary is also a Board Member for Verde Technologies of Minneapolis which created the Deterra® Drug Deactivation and Disposal System.
She is married to former astronaut Admiral Steve Oswald.
Mary's and Angela's conversation ranged from reducing stigma, to what Congress can do, to the need for more infrastructure and unity when it comes to ending the overdose epidemic.
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Apr 3, 2022
The Preventable Epidemic
Dr. Arun Gupta wrote the book, The Preventable Epidemic: A Frontline Doctor’s Experience and Recommendations to Resolve America’s Opioid Crisis. Dr. Gupta says that after specializing in addiction medicine for the last 15 years, the country must do more to train and incentivize physicians to go into addiction medicine, as well as promote medically assisted treatment for substance use disorder and treat the whole person because mental health and addiction go hand-in-hand. Dr. Gupta has details of this strategy and what he says we all must do to reverse overdoses in the U.S. in this latest episode of Grieving Out Loud.
More on Dr. Gupta's book here.
Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Mar 28, 2022
A Mother on Surviving the Loss of Two Sons to Overdose
Denise Roberts’ two sons, Matthew and Dillan, were born on the same day, four years apart. She was married to her husband, Tom, for ten years when he had a heart attack at age 42 and died. They were already trying to get her son, Dillan, who was 17 at the time, help for substance use disorder. Dillan went through treatment three times, but he died two years later from a heroin overdose. His older brother Matthew struggled with Dillan’s death and also turned to drugs. Six years after Dillan’s overdose, Matthew also overdosed and died.
In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Denise shares how she keeps going and growing, in spite of her great losses. Denise says her motto is, "Get up, dress up and show up. No matter what you do, never GIVE UP!”
You can read more of Matthew and Dillan's story here.
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Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
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Mar 13, 2022
Navy Admiral on loss of son to overdose and reversing the epidemic
A former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and his family were not immune to the overdose epidemic. Retired four-star Navy Admiral James "Sandy" Winnefeld has become an influential advocate to end overdoses after the loss of his 19-year-old son, Jonathan. He and his wife, Mary, started the Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic, or SAFE Project, a non-profit, that much like Emily's Hope, is working toward ending stigma, preventing overdoses, and getting people the help they need. Admiral Winnefeld shares Jonathan's story, the mission of SAFE Project, and what action he believes the U.S. needs to take to end the suffering caused by the astronomical number of overdose deaths.
Details on SAFE Project:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
USA Today Op. Ed. by Admiral James Winnefeld Jr.
USA Today Op Ed. by James "LJ" Winnefeld IIISupport the show
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Feb 20, 2022
How a high school dropout and meth user found recovery and became a college professor
Dr. Melissa Dittberner’s or "Dr. Mo," as she is known to her students, began using meth at age 14. Dr. Mo has had such a storied life. After giving up methamphetamines when she became a mom and eventually a single mom, she turned to alcohol. This high-school dropout was a welder and roller derby queen, before eventually earning her Ph.D. in addiction studies. She has a deep understanding of addiction, both personally and professionally.
Dr. Mo* *is a member of the Emily’s Hope Board of Directors and Prevention Education Committee. Dr. Mo is a professor in the Addiction Counseling and Prevention Department at the University of South Dakota and has been teaching in higher education for more than seven years. She has a Ph.D. in counseling and psychology in education, plus a master’s degree in addiction studies, and a bachelor’s degree in health sciences. She does research on college students’ substance use, pedagogy, addiction, and harm reduction. Not only is she very passionat…
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Jan 26, 2022
Man who lost son, wife to addiction is "Living Undeterred"
Jeff Johnston has experienced compound loss, first his 23-year-old son to fentanyl poisoning in 2016, and now most recently his wife of 21 years, to addiction. But Jeff is “Living Undeterred,” by loss, doing what he can to change the narrative in this country when it comes to mental health, overdose, and addiction. Jeff is launching the “Living Undeterred” tour this spring, where he hopes to raise awareness and bring people together all working toward a common goal. Emily’s Hope has joined forces as the South Dakota partner for the cross-country tour. Jeff has written a book, This One’s For You. He also writes a blog and hosts the Living Undeterred podcast.
*Website: **www.LivingUndeterred.com** *
*Twitter: **https://twitter.com/undeterreddad** *
*Facebook: ** https://facebook.com/LivingUndeterred** *
*Instagram: **https://www.instagram.com/livingundeterred/** *
*Podcast: **https://linktr.ee/LivingUndeterred** *
*LinkedIn: **https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-a-johns…
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Dec 16, 2021
The Scourge of Fentanyl & Meth on our Nation
Your host, Angela Kennecke, first met Journalist and Author, Sam Quinones, when he spoke at an Opioid Summit in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, after writing his best-selling book, Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic. Now his latest book, The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth, looks at how much the drug market has changed and how deadly and addictive it has become. Quinones examines why the unbelievable number of fentanyl overdoses aren’t enough to stop people from playing Russian roulette with drug use. His work exposes how extensive the synthetic drug epidemic has become and offers solutions and hope, one small effort at a time.
Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Nov 20, 2021
Emily's teammate finds recovery through Emily's Hope Treatment Scholarship
22-year-old Morgan was a couple of years younger than Emily, but went to the same high school and was part of the gymnastics team. She says Emily was always encouraging her. Morgan began drinking and smoking college and then moved on to harder drugs. Morgan says, " I would use a lot. It wasn’t just a small amount, it was a large amount and I could never have enough. I always needed more. Where my friends would be stopping, I would keep going."
Morgan says a miracle led her to treatment and when she received an Emily's Hope Treatment Scholarship, she knew that Emily was looking out for her. She calls Emily her guardian angel.
Morgan shares how drinking and drugging took over her life and how she is returning to herself through sobriety.
Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Nov 6, 2021
Shayla's Story
Dave and Janette Kucera's daughter, 22-year-old Shayla, died just 15 months after Emily. They didn’t have any idea that Shayla was using heroin until she was in a car crash months before her death.
The Kuceras talk about Shayla's rebellious teenage years. And just like Emily, Shayla also left behind younger siblings who now have their own grief to deal with.
The man accused of providing Shayla with the drugs laced with fentanyl will be in court next month in the first state case of drug distribution leading to death. The Kuceras are speaking out in Shayla’s memory and honor and in hopes of helping other families experiencing the same kind of loss to overdose.
Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Oct 24, 2021
Founder of Facebook group to help mothers grieving overdose deaths loses a second child to overdose
Pj Champion Sallie started the Facebook group #NotInVain four years ago following the death of her 24-year-old daughter, Christina, in 2017. Tragically, Pj’s 31-year-old daughter, Ashley, also died of fentanyl poisoning on January 1st of this year. She now joins the surprisingly high number of parents who have lost more than one child to overdose. She wrote in Ashley’s obituary: “My grieving mother’s plea is for you to reserve judgment for just a moment & see my daughter as those that love her do. You see, the stigma of addiction is so incredibly hard on those with addictions, as well as those that love them.”
Pj first joined Angela Kennecke on the podcast one year ago and is back to talk about how she is coping with the deaths of her two children and raising her grandchildren, all while continuing to help other mothers find hope. #NotInVain is marking four years of offering support to grieving mothers in the opioid epidemic and has now grown to 6,000 members.
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Oct 13, 2021
Coping with a Xanax overdose death
Janet Ropp's 19-year-old son, James, died October 13, 2018, from a Xanax overdose. James had struggled with addiction throughout his teenage years. He had been diagnosed with ADHD at a young age and his mother believes he was self-medicating with illicit drugs. Janet is marking the third anniversary of James' death by sharing what she has learned about grief and how to cope. She took classes through the Grief Recovery Method and found comfort in the book Where Did You Go, by Christina Rasmussen.Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Sep 18, 2021
A woman's journey from meth and tragedy to hope for others
32-year-old Tiffany Thoelke was a rebellious teen who started using meth in 8th grade. A caring teacher helped change the course of her life. Then a tragic personal loss involving mental health and addiction propelled her into a new arena, that of helping to educate young people and develop social and emotional learning curriculum in schools. Now she’s completing her degree in addiction studies and psychology. She shares her incredible journey on this edition of Grieving Out Loud.
Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Sep 4, 2021
Childhood Trauma and Addiction
Jon Sommervold grew up with high-achieving, affluent parents, but that didn’t protect him from becoming a victim of sexual abuse. He turned to alcohol at a young age to cope with trauma and eventually developed a $1,000 a day cocaine habit. Yet, Jon excelled in school and went on to be successful in the finance world. Still, his life was a mess and he failed to find true recovery after entering treatment multiple times. Today, Jon runs a recovery center and sober living homes called Tallgrass. He’s sharing his remarkable journey on this episode of Grieving Out Loud. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Aug 16, 2021
Connecting beyond the grave
After suffering a miscarriage, Shauna Domalain dealt with her own grief and heartache, but as a spiritual medium, Shauna says she has connected with the son she lost and that has given her hope. Shauna believes we can all connect with our children in Heaven if we are open to it. She believes communication with the children we lost can lead to healing and a renewed purpose in life. She says her psychic skills were evident at a very young age and now uses them to help others find peace through her website, blog and podcast, The Oracle of Light.
*Shauna's* *Website: **www.livealifeyoulove.org*
*Shauna's Podcast: **The Oracle of Light *
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For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Aug 1, 2021
STRUNG: The movie making a difference
The short film, STRUNG, is picking up plenty of awards at film festivals all over the world. It deals with the tough issue of addiction.
Lost in the forest of his own mind, the main character, Eric must rely on the survival skills of an enigmatic nine-year-old boy to help him battle vicious withdrawals and self-deprivation to catalyze change within his family's cycle of addiction.
The filmmakers are currently working to turn STRUNG into a full-length feature film. They’re also committed to using the subject matter to raise awareness on addiction and help those struggling with this disease of the brain.
On this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Angela Kennecke is joined by STRUNG co-directors, Joseph Bezenek and Ryan Reid, as well as the lead actor and story creator, Jeromy Darling, who talk about the future of a full-length film and how they're giving back to help people find recovery.
Learn more about the 4est Films here.
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Jul 4, 2021
Mother shares story of son's meth overdose death
Diane Eide lost her 25-year-old son, Trace, in April of 2021 to a methamphetamine overdose. While they are not as common as opioid, and specifically fentanyl overdoses, meth overdose deaths have skyrocketed in the last decade. Diane is sharing her ten-year battle for Trace's life and the aftermath of his death to raise awareness that meth too, can kill. Trace fought the disease of addiction since the age of 14. Treatment was not always successful, but before his death, he celebrated seven months of sobriety. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Jun 20, 2021
Mothers Healing Garden
Their shared grief over the loss of their children brought Carol Baum and Jeannie Ammon together. Both women lost their sons at a young age. Carol's son Jeremy completed suicide after battling meth addiction in 1999. Jeannie's son Wyatt died at the age of 24 in 2005 in a freak accident while overseas.
Carol and Jeannie joined forces to help others by creating the Mothers Healing Garden, in Dell Rapids, SD. At the center of the garden is a labyrinth. The Mothers Healing Garden has now been used as a model across the country and Carol and Jeannie say their friendship has also been essential to their own healing.
Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Jun 13, 2021
Stigmatized deaths, signs and working through grief
David J. Roberts teaches a course on death, dying, and bereavement at Utica College in New York. He lost his 18-year-old daughter, Jeanine to cancer in 2003. In addition to leading grief groups, he is a retired addiction professional. Out of his nearly three decades of working with people who suffered from substance use disorder, he wrote a blog titled: “They Were Unique, Misunderstood, and Among my Greatest Teachers.” In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Dave promotes looking at the addict as a whole person and gives advice on dealing with stigmatized deaths such as overdose and suicide.
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For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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May 30, 2021
Dreaming of the Deceased
Dreams--what do they mean and how they can help in the grieving process. Joshua Black, PhD, is a grief researcher, speaker, consultant, and host of the Grief Dreams Podcast. Joshua’s work focuses on dreams and continuing bonds after loss, including prenatal and pet loss.
In this episode, we hear from mothers grieving the loss of a child and the kind of dreams they are experiencing. Joshua talks about the healing power of dreams and what they may be telling us to help us move through our grief journey.
Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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May 23, 2021
Protecting children from addiction
Jessica Lahey is a mother, teacher, and author of The New York Times bestselling book, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed. Jessica, who been sober for eight years, says her new book, The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence, came out concern for her own children following that same path. The book delves into genetics, psychology, and the science of addiction and offers practical things parents can do to keep their kids from suffering from addiction.
Read Jessica's blog here.
Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Apr 25, 2021
Mothers of sons who overdosed together on pills laced with fentanyl
Alica Steinfurth’s and Marica Leonard’s sons, ages 23 and 24, worked together as beer truck delivery drivers. Josh and Tanner were outdoorsmen and enduro racing enthusiasts. After a night of drinking last August, they made the fatal mistake of purchasing what they thought were prescription opioid pills. Both young men died from a fatal dose of fentanyl. Marica’s other son, Tyler, who was with them, also overdosed but was revived with Narcan.
The two moms have been very open about what happened to their sons, in order to serve as a warning for others. Learn how they are coping as the one-year anniversary of their sons' deaths approaches and the bond they have formed with one another, following the loss of their sons.
Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Mar 30, 2021
Why prison is no place for those suffering from addiction
Jessica Pfau has battled opioid and alcohol addiction ever since her 2011 gastric bypass surgery. She first joined Angela Kennecke on this podcast in 2019, before heading to prison. Jessica overdosed on heroin laced with fentanyl and that violated the terms of her probation. Jessica spent eight months behind bars, but says she received little to no treatment while in a state women's prison. Jessica says the time away damaged her connections to both her husband and pre-school son. Through it all, Jessica says she has maintained her sobriety, but she is having trouble finding employment with her criminal record. In this podcast she talks about how a system set up to punish, doesn't foster healing for someone with substance use disorder.
You can hear Jessica's first interview on Grieving Out Loud on Episode 17.
Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg…
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Mar 6, 2021
Mindfulness and Grief
*In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Angela Kennecke talks with **Heather Stang,** a, thanatologist, yoga therapist, author of **Mindfulness & Grief** **and the new guided journal, **From Grief to Peace**. Stang founded the **Mindfulness and Grief Institute **and is the host of her own podcast by the same name.
Stang shares how her own experiences with grief brought her to her profession and has advice for anyone suffering with loss, especially overdose loss, on how to use mindfulness to cope with the extreme pain that accompanies grief.
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Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Mar 1, 2021
"Remember Me:" The gift of a song to a grieving mom
While on a long car drive, Sally Ponzio heard an unmistakable voice in her heart--that of her son, Travis, who had died of overdose six months earlier. Sally says Travis gave her the lyrics to a song called, "Remember Me." She pulled over and wrote them down as fast as she could on a napkin. Now that song has been released and Sally and the composer, Frank Ponzio, as well as singer, Eleanor Dubinsky, join Angela Kennecke to talk about the overwhelming response listeners are having to the heartfelt melody.
Sally hopes that "Remember Me," gives comfort to anyone who has suffered the loss of a loved-one and hope in its message for the living to continue to find joy in life.
You can watch the video with the song here.
*Permission was granted by Sally Ponzio, Frank Ponzio and Eleanor Dubinsky to play "Remember Me" in its entirety in this podcast. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
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Feb 13, 2021
Mother, grandmother in recovery with help from Emily's Hope
Norma is a 52-year-old mother and grandmother. She didn't start drinking until the age of 35, but within a year, she says she was an alcoholic. She had period of sobriety, but now has new hope for long-term recovery after seeking treatment at the Avera Addiction Care Center and receiving an Emily's Hope Treatment Scholarship.
Norma shares her story in hopes of reducing the stigma and shame surrounding addiction and encouraging. others to seek help. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Feb 2, 2021
Phil's story: What went wrong
A Pennsylvania addiction medicine and family practice doctor knew there was something special about Philip, who first came to her at age 21 for substance use disorder. But despite Dr. Aviva Fohrer's best efforts, Phil fell through the cracks in a flawed system, both in how insurance companies dictate treatment time and the lack of follow-through by the center. Phil overdosed and died on April 24, 2019. Dr. Fohrer and Philip's mother Kate Kimbel reflect on what went wrong and are speaking out together in order to push for changes in the way addiction is treated in this country. Read Phil's story here. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Dec 27, 2020
After a two-decades' long alcohol addiction, a husband and father finds recover through Emily's Hope
After Journalist Angela Kennecke's 21-year-old daughter, Emily, died of fentanyl poisoning in 2018, she formed Emily's Hope, a charity in her daughter's name. To date, 44 people have received Emily's Hope treatment scholarships, including 45-year-old Jeremy, a husband and father of two. Jeremy hid his addiction to alcohol for more than two decades. He credits financial help from Emily's Hope for taking away the excuse that he couldn't afford treatment, and helping propel him into recovery. He will celebrate one year in recovery in February. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Dec 20, 2020
Mother who lost 5 children to overdose shares heartbreaking story
Massachusetts mother, Carol Morris, has lost five out of her twelve children to overdose. Her oldest son died in 2000 and she recently lost another son in 2019. Parents who have lost a child can't imagine surviving the loss of another one. However, in the opioid epidemic it is not all that uncommon for parents to have lost more than one child to overdose. Carol says one of the thing that helps her cope is the Facebook group #NotinVain.
In this podcast she talks about each of the children she has lost: Joey in 2000, Timmothy in 2004, Lauren in 2007, Steven in 2014 and Doug in 2019. She explains her efforts to help them and her frustration that more isn't being done to end the opioid epidemic.
Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Nov 1, 2020
Author who Lost Son to Fentanyl Poisoning in 2013 has Advice for Those Newly Grieving
Long-time educator and author, Kris Francoeur, lost her 20-year-old son, Sam, to fentanyl poisoning in 2013. Her book Of Grief, Garlic and Gratitude: Returning to Hope & Joy from a Shattered Life, chronicles her journey through grief and how she is able to keep the love Sam brought into the world alive. When Sam died in 2013, there was even more stigma surrounding an overdose death than there is today. Kris talks about why it was so important to her family not to hide in shame from the way Sam died. She offers advice from her experiences to families who are mourning a similar loss. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Oct 25, 2020
The Woman who Gives a Voice to Parents who've Lost Children to Overdose
Susan Claire lost her 25-year-old daughter, Sharon, to overdose in 2018. She looked around for a podcast for people who have lost loved ones to overdose and couldn't find one, so she started her own.
Now she gives voice to family members who are experiencing the horrific shock and loss of losing a loved one in this way.
Contact Susan, or listen to her podcasts:
Gmail: GrievingOverdoseDeath@gmail.com
iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grieving-overdose-death/id1462181055 Libsyn: http://grievingoverdosedeath.libsyn.com/
Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Oct 6, 2020
#NotInVain, the Facebook Group for Thousands of GrIeving Moms
Thousands of grief-stricken mothers who have lost children in the drug epidemic are finding one another on Facebook. Pj Champion Sallie "accidentally" started a Facebook group for grieving moms called, #NotInVain. Pj lost her 24-year-old daughter Christina Westfall to overdose in 2017. In Christina's obituary, her mother bravely wrote: "I want to share her story in the hope that lives may be saved and her death will not be in vain." Pj found a few other moms going through a similar loss and now the #NotInVain Facebook group has nearly 5,000 members. In this podcast Pj and Angela discuss how the goal of the group is to help mothers who've lost children to addiction become "warrior moms," in order to call attention to the crisis and be catalyst for change, making sure the loss of their children's lives were not in vain.
Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey…
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Sep 27, 2020
Finding Purpose in the Pain
Michigan Pediatrician Marcy Larson is a mother of four, who lost her 14-year-old son, Andy, in a car crash in August of 2018. She looked around for a podcast on child loss and couldn't find one, so she started her own. In her "Losing a Child: Always Andy’s Mom," podcast, Marcy interviews parents who have lost children and has found a purpose in her pain. She also chronicles coping with child loss in her blog.
Marcy and Angela share what they have both learned in the process of blogging and podcasting about their grief and sharing it with the world.
Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Sep 20, 2020
After Losing Both Parents to Addiction, Jessica Hulsey Formed a National Organization to Raise Awareness and Find Solutions
At the age of 5, Jessica Hulsey was prepared to warn her kindergarten class about the dangers of shooting heroin. Jessica's parents suffered from substance use disorder, which greatly disrupted her life. Both of her parents died young, as the the result of complications from years of addiction. As a young adult, Jessica was invited to tell her story to a wide range of audiences and she hasn't stopped since. Jessica graduated from Princeton and went on to form the Addiction Policy Forum in 2015. The Addiction Policy Forum is out with a new guide for families on navigating addiction and treatment. The organization also has an alcohol and drug helpline. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Sep 7, 2020
From Meth, Heroin and Homelessness to Faith, Recovery and Motherhood
Megan Eichacker is a farm girl from South Dakota who spent her 20's addicted to heroin and meth. She was living out of her car, barely surviving and always looking for the next high. After going through treatment three times, some of what she learned along the way finally made an impact. She credits her new found faith, finding out she was pregnant and medically assisted treatment for the recover she has found for that last 18 months.
Megan is sharing her story in hopes of helping others understand addiction and find recovery. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Aug 16, 2020
Brandon Novak's Remarkable Story from Worldwide Fame, to Living on the Streets, to Finally Finding Sobriety
Brandon Novak was a world-famous, champion skateboarder. However, he was also in his first treatment center for addiction to heroin at age 17. He went on to co-star in TV and movies in the MTV Jackass and Viva La BAM series. He also went through 13 treatment centers and nearly died several times. His best selling autobiography, Dreamseller: An Addiction Memoir, was published in 2008. But Brandon did not find lasting sobriety until 2015. A new book on his life by Joe Frantz titled, The Streets of Baltimore, is now out. Brandon and Angela Kennecke met at the 2019 DEA 360 Los Angeles Opioid Awareness Youth Summit, where they spoke to 5,000 high school students, telling their individual stories. Brandon is now a Certified Interventionist Professional (CIP) and he now travels the country for Banyan Treatment Center to raise awareness and help get people into treatment.
You can contact Brandon for help by calling: 610-624-6719.
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For more episodes and to read Angela's blog,…
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Aug 9, 2020
Strategies for Survival after the Loss of a Child
Any parent who's lost a child wonders how they will survive. Minnesota author Pat Sheveland wrote the book: How do I Survive? 7 Steps to Living After Child Loss. Sheveland was inspired to write the book because she watched her mother deal with the loss of her brother her entire life. Her brother died before she was born, but the tragedy had a great impact on her entire family for decades. Sheveland hopes to help grieving parents find purpose and peace through a strategy called B.R.E.A.T.H.E.
You can download a free digital version of How do I Survive? 7 Steps to Living After Child, here.Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Jul 11, 2020
Mother of ‘The Flash’ star, Logan Williams, shares his story and her new mission
When Logan Williams died at the age of 16 on April 2, 2020, it made headlines because of his roles in movies and TV shows. His mom, Marlyse Williams, recently went public with the fact that Logan died of fentanyl poisoning. He had struggled with addiction issues since a young age, but Marlyse doesn't blame his acting career. She and Angela Kennecke share their similar struggles with trying to change the course of their children's lives before they overdosed and died. Marlyse wants to make sure Logan's death was not in vain, by trying to prevent others from the same fate. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Jun 7, 2020
A Young, Accomplished Woman's Secret Struggle with Addiction Results in Suicide
30-year-old Samantha "Sam" was an artist, a model and a teacher. But this beautiful young woman kept a secret that was both painful and shameful to her: she had struggled with heroin addiction. Although she had started a career as a teacher and gotten married, her past always haunted her. In this podcast, Sam's mom, Kerry, shares her story and why she feels addiction resulted in Sam completing suicide in 2018. Sam's and Emily's stories have many similarities; both were beautiful, talented young women from families who truly cared and tried to help them. Angela and Kerry discuss the aftermath of such great loss and what moving forward, following the deaths of their daughters, is like for them now. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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May 26, 2020
Tough Love Doesn't Fix Addiction
The struggle for families dealing with a child or partner suffering from substance use disorder can be frustrating and overwhelming. Dave Jansa tried everything to help his son, Kevin. Nothing worked until he found SMART Recovery. Jansa has served as a peer addiction management coach, a peer loved one coach, director of partner relations, national trainer and most recently the Face It TOGETHER program advisor. Melissa Flynn found help and hope for her son, Nicholas, through SMART Recovery and Face It TOGETHER, before his overdose death in 2018. Melissa and Dan join Angela Kennecke to talk about better ways to interact with loved ones dealing with addictive behavior.
You can find out more about both programs here.
Face It TOGETHER
SMART RecoverySupport the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Mar 8, 2020
How Grieving, Angry Mothers are Changing the World
Shortly after the death of her daughter, Emily, Angela Kennecke got an email from Fiona Cullinan Firine. Fiona had lost her son Cameron to fentanyl poisoning just a couple of months before Emily died. She was discouraged by the lack of criminal prosecution against the dealer who supplied Cameron with what looked like and Oxycontin pill. Fiona wrote Angela out of frustration and Angela encouraged her to fight for her son and find other parents who had also lost children in this way. It turned out that Connecticut did not recognize fentanyl as a narcotic. After Fiona discovered that, she gathered a group of parents, who had lost children to fentanyl poisoning, and they banned together to change Connecticut's law. Fiona and her family also started a non-profit called, "For Cameron." Through their organization they are raising money to educate law enforcement and provide software for detectives to unlock phones. They also have a scholarship for students studying addiction, which was what C…
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Feb 16, 2020
Fake Prescription Drugs Laced with Deadly Fentanyl
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, fake prescription pills are flooding the market in the United States. They look exactly like the real thing, but often contain the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl. In this episode, Angela Kennecke talks with DEA Agent Travis Ocken about the problem and his advice for parents in dealing with drug issues that are killing tens-of-thousands of mostly young people every year. The DEA paints a frightening picture of the hold drug cartels have on the population in the United States as the demand for illegal drugs remains high. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Feb 6, 2020
The "Poster Child" of Recovery Relapsed and Died
"Grief is untamed," Ryan Blomberg's mother Denise said. Ryan died of fentanyl poisoning at age 26. Ryan was gifted in music and with languages. After a battle with heroin use, Ryan found long-term recovery. Only after the overdose deaths of two friends, Ryan relapsed and died. His mother shares his story and what she learned during his recovery and how she is coping with the loss of her son. Ironically, Angela spoke with Denise about Ryan's overdose death for the first time, on the day Emily died. Fate has brought these mothers together with a similar mission to fight the drug epidemic and save lives. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Jan 6, 2020
Daughter writes book on mother's public struggle with addiction
Alexa Giebink's memoir Phoenix: Rising From Addiction is the true story of a family who battled their way out of the fires of addiction and rose together, stronger from the ashes. Mary Ann Giebink was a successful attorney who lost her career and her reputation because of alcoholism and depression. When her daughter, Alexa, was a junior in high school, her mother was sentenced to prison. Alexa explains how her world view has been shaped by having a parent who suffers from substance use disorder and what she's learned along the way.
You can learn more about Alexa's book here.
Her mother is now a trained interventionist. You can hear the podcast where Angela talks with Mary Ann here. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Dec 8, 2019
Wife, Mother & Heroin Addict Shares her Overdose Story before Serving her Prison Sentence
Jessica Pfau has battled opioid and alcohol addiction ever since her 2011 gastric bypass surgery. Jessica has made several attempts at recovery and blown all the chances given to her by the legal system. After overdosing on heroin laced with fentanyl in March, and surviving, Jessica must now say goodbye to her three-year-old son and serve her time. She's giving us an inside look at the mind of an addict and why "they just don't quit."
You can watch Jessica's story here.
Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Dec 2, 2019
SD Governor Gets Personal on Battling Addiction
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and Angela Kennecke have a conversation about the personal toll addiction takes on families; whether or not South Dakota's new anti-meth campaign can be effective, despite the ridicule; and how the State plans to make more treatment available to people.
Take this link for more information on SD's new controversial anti-meth campaign. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Nov 10, 2019
The Barriers and Challenges to Addiction Treatment
Rimrock in one of the largest treatment centers in Montana, serving adults and adolescents with substance use and co-occurring disorders. Rimrock views addiction as a whole person illness affecting an individual’s emotional, physical, spiritual and social well-being. Angela Kennecke was recently the keynote speaker at the *Montana 2019 Symposium –* The Future of Addiction Medicine: Advances in Mental Health & Addiction Treatment. She sat down with Rimrock CEO Lenette Kosovich to talk about how far we’ve come and where we have yet to go in the treatment of substance use disorder.
Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Oct 13, 2019
Author Interview: "And Then, We Laughed: A Memoir of Hope & Healing"
The author of the book, And Then, We Laughed: A Memoir of Hope & Healing, shares the trauma that plagued her childhood and resulted in her own alcoholism. Delaine Shay's family struggled to come to terms with the fact that her father accidentally ran over and killed her brother. After decades of drinking, Shay eventually chose recovery and now has a mission to help others find their way to healing. Shay is now part of Faith Communities Facing Addiction, a group of churches working to bring down the stigma attached to to substance use disorder. She heads an addiction ministry program in her own church.
Learn more about Shay's book here.
Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Sep 29, 2019
Founder of Power for Abundant Recovery
Mark McManus started Power for Abundant Recovery Ministries. McManus took his first drink at age 11 and has battled alcoholism. While he has been in recovery for decades, he also faced addiction as a parent of two sons, who have struggled with similar issues. In this podcast, McManus shares his insights into addiction and why he started a faith-based recovery organization out of Montana. PAR is now spreading nationwide.
Learn more about Power for Abundant Recovery,Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Sep 22, 2019
An Interview with the Interventionist
In this episode, Mary Ann Giebink tells her story of addiction and the turmoil it caused in her life. This once successful attorney eventually ended up in prison. But for nearly a decade, she has worked on her own recovery and is now helping others get into treatment. Giebink is an ARISE* Interventionist. Giebink uses her legal knowledge and personal experience with addiction to conduct interventions with families. To learn more about Mary Ann's work visit Addiction Solution 605. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Sep 15, 2019
Moms Turning Heartbreak into Action
In this episode, Angela Kennecke talks with fellow mother, Barb Olson. Barb lost her daughter, Caitlyn "Cat" in 2018 in a horrific car crash. Olson has started a non-profit to carry on her daughter's legacy and love for reading and education. Both Angela and Barb discuss dealing with grief, the unfairness of the justice system and channeling their grief into charity work. You can find out more about the "Live Like Cat Foundation" by taking this link. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Sep 1, 2019
Broken Heart Syndrome: 4 Ways We Grieve
In this episode Dr. Mark VandeBraak, a a board certified music therapist and thanatologist (grief educator) talks about the symptoms of a broken heart after someone we love dies. He shares four ways that grief affects us and gives us tools for coping with significant loss.
As a music therapist, Dr. VandeBraak leads daily music groups for all behavioral health inpatients. He facilitates grief education support groups for adults and groups specifically for those experiencing child and infant loss. He combines his knowledge of grief and music to assist individuals in traveling through their grief journey. Mark is recognized as a fellow in thanatology by the Association for Death Education and Counseling. He contributed Chapter 4, "The Berafian Model," to the book Children Surviving Traumatic Death, by Gerry R. Cox and Robert G. Stevenson, published 2018.Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and cou…
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Jul 16, 2019
What Two Mothers Have Learned Following the Deaths of their Daughters
Mothers Angela Kennecke and Celia Farmer are now part of a club that no one wants to join. Celia lost her 14-year-old daughter, Mali, to suicide. Angela and Celia share how they have coped and what has helped them, as well as what has not. Both agree that reaching outside of themselves to help others is among one of the most healing things they have done. They share their reflections on this journey through grief in this podcast. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Jul 6, 2019
"The Opioid Epidemic: What Everyone Needs to Know"
In this episode, we hear from Dr. Joshua Sharfstein from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He has co-authored a book with his wife, Dr. Yngvild Olsen, titled "The Opioid Epidemic: What Everyone Needs to Know." Dr.. Sharfstein discusses the causes and ineffective methods now used to address substance use disorder, along with best practices to end this public health crisis.
For more on the book, click here!Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Jun 23, 2019
Father Loses His Only Two Children to Overdose
In Episode 7, Steve Grant shares the story of losing *both* his sons, his only two children, to overdose. Chris and Kelly died five years apart, but both succumbed to substance use disorder. Steve's ordeal is unimaginable, but somehow he has managed to create a new life for himself. He found healing through giving back and helping others. He started Chris and Kelly's HOPE Foundation and has financially assisted countless other non-profits in the work they do to get and keep young people healthy.
Steve has a new book out about his ordeal and the loss of two sons.
The book, Don't Forget Me: A Lifeline of HOPE for Those Touched by Substance Abuse and Addiction, is coming out soon.
We can all learn from Steve's tragic experience about grief, coping, love and hope!
For more on Emily's Hope, click here. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Jun 12, 2019
Addiction is a Disease
In this episode of "Grieving Out Loud" Angela Kennecke interviews Psychiatrist, Dr. Matt Stanley, the Medical Director of the new Avera Addiction Care Center opening in October of 2019. Dr. Stanley explains addiction as a disease, discusses the long-held stigma around it and the response of the medical community. He also addresses new ways of viewing how people should get help and how long it takes brain function of a substance abuser to return to normal. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Jun 2, 2019
"The Rebeccas:" Two Women in Recovery Determined to Help Others
Two women, both named Rebecca, have each been in recovery from methamphetamine addiction for more than a decade. Now they are determined to give back and open a series of sober living homes to help others recover in their community.
To find out more and how to help with the Oxford House Sober Living Homes contact: Siouxfallsoxfordhouse@gmail.com
Click here for more on Emily's Hope!Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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May 20, 2019
Loving My Son Through Heroin Addiction
In this episode of "Grieving Out Loud," Angela Kennecke interviews mother Sara Crosby. Sara has three children; two of them are twin boys. One of her twins developed substance use disorder, which started in his teen years, but intensified after he went away to college. Sara is a trained social worker, but nothing could have prepared her for the treacherous journey of her son's addiction. Sara has gained deep insight into dealing with a child who is abusing substances and shares what she's learned in this episode, both in how to help her child and herself.
For more information and how to get help, just go to our Emily's Hope website.
Find a smart recovery group here. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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May 12, 2019
Emily's Friends Overdose
In this episode of "Grieving Out Loud," Angela Kennecke shares how two of Emily's friends recently overdosed and lived after getting Narcan. From their frantic parents, to the confusion over how to get help, it's an eye-opening podcast on the powerful hold the opioid epidemic has on young people.
For more information and how to get help go to our Emily's Hope WebsiteSupport the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Apr 14, 2019
The Tornado: An Interview with Melissa Flynn about Stepson's Overdose
In this episode of "Grieving Out Loud," mother Melissa Flynn talks about losing her 25-year-old stepson Nicholas to a fentanyl overdose. Melissa and Angela talk about their frustration in trying to get their children help and what they have learned during this difficult journey that may be of help to other parents. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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Apr 11, 2019
"Beauty is all Around Us:" The Day Emily Died
Journalist Angela Kennecke shares her vision for this podcast as an advocate in the opioid epidemic to stop the stigma. In this episode Angela talks about the phone call she received that her daughter, Emily, had overdosed. Support the show
For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey
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