Grieving Out Loud: A Mother Coping with Loss in the Opioid Epidemic
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.
Grieving Out Loud: A Mother Coping with Loss in the Opioid Epidemic
After Almost Losing Her Son to Addiction, What She Wants Other Parents to Know
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When your child is struggling with addiction, the fear can be overwhelming, and the loneliness can feel just as heavy.
Today’s Grieving Out Loud guest knows that reality all too well. Brenda Zane’s son was just 15 years old when addiction entered their lives and changed everything. Their journey pushed them to the brink, with two fentanyl overdoses in just three days. After the second overdose, he nearly died, spending three days in a coma on life support, suffering both a heart attack and a stroke.
Somehow, they found a way through.
Out of that experience, Brenda created the Hopestream community, a podcast and online space designed for parents navigating a child’s addiction. She built it because she knew how desperately families need support from people who truly understand.
What began as a passion project in 2020 has grown into a resource reaching families across the country. In this episode, Brenda shares her family’s difficult, years-long journey, what she’s learned about helping a loved one through addiction, and how both she and her son are now helping others find hope.
Learn more about the Hopestream Community here.
Learn more about the CRAFT Method here.
Related episodes:
- A Brain Scientist’s Warning Every Parent Should Hear
- Grief, marijuana, and addiction: A conversation about cannabis use disorder
- A mother’s urgent message on mental health and addiction
- Mother blames cannabis-induced psychosis for son’s death
Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.
They were...
- daughters
- sons
- mothers
- fathers
- friends
- wives
- husbands
- cousins
- boyfriends
- girlfriends.
They were More Than Just A Number.
Subscribe to Grieving Out Loud/Emily’s Hope Updates
For more episodes and information, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz
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