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
Why prison is no place for those suffering from addiction
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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.
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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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