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.
Episodes
292 episodes
Navigating grief and addiction: A 'Sober Daughter's' journey to reclaiming her life
Fawna Asfaw was an only child who had her world turned upside down when she lost not just one, but both of her parents at a young age. It's unimaginable. She didn't know how to handle all that grief, so she turned to alcohol. As you may have gu...
Emily's Hope Prevention Education Curriculum making a difference on the reservation
The Rosebud Reservation is one of the most impoverished areas in the United States, and the nationwide drug epidemic has struck its residents. According to new CDC data, Native Americans are experiencing the highest number of deadly drug overdo...
Living beyond loss: A father’s journey to healing after 15-year-old daughter dies to suicide
On this episode of "Grieving Out Loud," we'll explore the depths of grief and the journey to healing. Host, Angela Kennecke, sits down with Eric Hodgdon, a remarkable individual who has navigated the unimaginable pain of losing his 15-year-old ...
Unlocking the healing potential of intuition: A conversation with a medical and spiritual intuitive
"Mother's intuition" is a well-known term that refers to a unique sense that mothers have to ensure their children's safety and well-being. However, have you ever considered other forms of intuition? In this episode of Grieving Out ...
The double life of an orthodontist who hid her alcohol addiction and is now helping others
In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, meet Sonia Kahlon, an accomplished orthodontist who built a successful seven-location orthodontic group and appeared to have it all. But behind the scenes, she was secretly battling a high-functioning alcoh...
Fur-ever grateful: A mother's journey through grief with her canine companions
On this episode of Grieving Out Loud, your host, Angela Kennecke, welcomes guest Susan Lynch, a professional, award-winning dog trainer who has always known the importance of our furry friends. However, it wasn't until her son tragically passed...
'I just want to see my girl:' A mom's message after daughter dies from fentanyl
In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, your host, Angela Kennecke, sits down with Kim Hix, a mother who tragically lost her daughter Kelsie to fentanyl poisoning. Deaths involving synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl, are on the rise, with almo...
Breaking the stereotypes: A teacher of the year's battle with homelessness and substance use disorder
From teacher of the year to homeless, Edward Krumpotich has battled substance use disorder for two decades. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Angela Kennecke sits down with Eddie as he shares his harrowing journey with substance us...
Mom dies from fentanyl poisoning on son’s 20th birthday
On the latest episode of Grieving Out Loud, your host, Angela Kennecke, speaks with Julie Baumgard, a mother who lost her daughter Shauna to fentanyl poisoning on a day that was supposed to be a celebration: her own son's 20th birthday....
The TikTok doctor: An addiction medicine expert's mission to reach the younger generation
She's one of TikTok's favorite addiction medicine docs. Dr. Elizabeth Zona is board certified in both Anesthesia and Addiction Medicine. In addition to seeing patients at her clinic, she also tries to reach the younger generation, which is larg...
Grieving with purpose: Jenna James' story of finding strength in tragedy
Jenna James thought she had time to save her 21-year-old son, Brandon "Bam," when he admitted to taking what he believed to be Percocet. She moved him back into her house and had open and honest conversations with him, but time was not on her s...
Breaking the stigma: Counselor shares candid story of battling substance use
In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, we hear Brian Wall's story - a story of a promising college athlete with big dreams of making it to the Olympics and becoming an orthopedic surgeon. However, after experimenting with drugs, his dreams came ...
How a SD Hall of Famer overcame trauma and addiction
In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, your host, Angela Kennecke, sits down with South Dakota Hall of Famer Evelyn Leite, who has overcome incredible adversity in her life. Growing up with a father who struggled with alcohol addict...
Snapchat & drug deals: Hear from parents taking on social media giant after son dies
In this week's episode of Grieving Out Loud, Angela Kennecke speaks with another family she met at the DEA Family Summit, a conference for midwest parents who've lost a child to fentanyl, that sh...
Fentanyl’s deadly toll: A mother’s heartbreaking loss of both daughter & stepson
In this emotional episode of Grieving Out Loud, we sit down with Shannon Sayers, a mother who tragically lost her daughter and stepson to the deadly drug fentanyl. With both of their deaths occurring less than a month apart, Sayers' world was t...
Two moms form a bond following the stigmatized deaths of their sons
Every five minutes, an American dies from a drug overdose. It's a startling statistic that Ann Breeding and Natalie Kritenbrink know about all too well. We caught up with the two Des Moines area mothers who lost sons to overdoses at the DEA Fam...
Shatterproof founder's life mission after losing son
Join host Angela Kennecke on this week's episode of Grieving Out Loud as she sits down with Gary Mendell, founder, and CEO of the non-profit Shatterproof.Gary Mendell appeared to have it all. ...
The best of 100 episodes: insights, inspiration, and impact
In this milestone episode, your host of Grieving out Loud, Angela Kennecke, reflects on the last four years of the Emily's Hope podcast. Angela started the podcast after losing her daughter Emily to fentanyl poisoning. Through her interviews wi...
Woman takes to TikTok after losing daughter & unborn grandson to drugs
You may check out TikTok to get a laugh, learn a new recipe, or catch up on the latest makeup trend. However, a bereaved grandma and mom uses the platform to raise awareness about a much more serious topic.Teresa Carreon has experienced ...
Author turns heartbreak into healing after baby’s death
Your host, Angela Kennecke, sits down with author Brianne Edwards. After losing her ten-month-old son to SIDS, Brianne's grief was unbearable, struggling to eat, breathe, and think. However, she found healing and broke the cycle of pain.
Emily's Hope Treatment Scholarship helps man reclaim his life
In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, your host, Angela Kennecke, speaks with Jeff Grossman. Jeff shares his battle with substance use disorder.At 22 years old, Jeff found comfort in alcohol, using it to help him cope with struggles of h...
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.B...
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 ...
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 fo...