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

If you haven’t experienced alcohol addiction yourself, chances are someone close to you has. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, roughly 29 million people in the United States are living with alcohol use disorder. It affects people from every walk of life, including many who never expected to struggle with substance use. Today’s guest on Grieving Out Loud, Katie Lain, says her path into addiction wasn’t sudden. It happened gradually, after spending more time around people who drank frequently, until she found herself caught in it. Katie eventually found her way out with the help of treatment and a medication that isn’t often part of the conversation. In this episode, she shares her story, how she reached out for help and what ultimately made the difference. Learn more about Katie's story and the Sinclair Method at Thrive Alcohol Recovery. Related Episodes: After a two-decades’ long alcohol addiction, a husband and father finds recover through Emily’s HopeAlcohol and women: A dangerous combinationA Wife’s Battle With Addiction, A Husband’s Journey to Love Her Through It Send us Fan Mail Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.They were... daughterssonsmothersfathersfriendswiveshusbandscousinsboyfriendsgirlfriends.They were More Than Just A Number.  Support the show Connect with Angela Follow Grieving Out Loud Follow Emily's Hope Read Angela’s Blog Subscribe to Grieving Out Loud/Emily’s Hope Updates Suggest a Guest For more episodes and information, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity Wishing you faith, hope and courage! Podcast producers: Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

When faced with a large crisis, taking the first step can feel daunting, especially when the companies involved hold significant money and power. That was the reality at the start of the opioid epidemic. Mississippi was one of the first states in the nation to take on opioid manufacturers in court. Now, the state’s attorney general joins us to talk about that fight, and the evolving threats still facing communities across the country. On this episode of Grieving Out Loud, we sit down with Attorney General Lynn Fitch to discuss how the state is working to save lives, from public awareness campaigns and legal action to expanding access to naloxone and fentanyl testing strips. Episodes Featured: Will Rops - He Couldn’t Save His Brother, But He’s Working to Save Yours Cameron Nielson - Saving Lives After Overdose One Call at a Time Send us Fan Mail Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.They were... daughterssonsmothersfathersfriendswiveshusbandscousinsboyfriendsgirlfriends.They were More Than Just A Number.  Support the show Connect with Angela Follow Grieving Out Loud Follow Emily's Hope Read Angela’s Blog Subscribe to Grieving Out Loud/Emily’s Hope Updates Suggest a Guest For more episodes and information, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity Wishing you faith, hope and courage! Podcast producers: Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

Over the past two decades, suicide rates have steadily risen across the United States. Even when family and friends notice the warning signs and try to get help, the outcome can still be devastating. That’s the heartbreaking story of today’s guest on Grieving Out Loud. Larissa Strong’s daughter, Hailey, had been receiving care in an inpatient mental health facility after a suicide attempt. Despite that, Larissa says the facility allowed her daughter to leave, and within 48 hours, Hailey was able to purchase a gun and take her own life. Now, Larissa is fighting for stricter gun regulations for people struggling with mental health, honoring her daughter’s memory through advocacy. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, she shares her mission and the changes she hopes to see. Listen to her powerful testimony here. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to check out the following: When Words Are All That’s Left After Suicide Embracing hope after the loss of a daughter to suicide Why So Many Teens are Struggling, and What We’re Missing Send us Fan Mail Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.They were... daughterssonsmothersfathersfriendswiveshusbandscousinsboyfriendsgirlfriends.They were More Than Just A Number.  Support the show Connect with Angela Follow Grieving Out Loud Follow Emily's Hope Read Angela’s Blog Subscribe to Grieving Out Loud/Emily’s Hope Updates Suggest a Guest For more episodes and information, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity Wishing you faith, hope and courage! Podcast producers: Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

One struggled with mental health growing up. The other battled addiction. But Greg Vorst and Michael Nolan say that despite having different diagnoses, many of the struggles underneath were surprisingly similar. After years of doing their own work, the two not only found recovery and stronger mental health, they also teamed up to open a treatment center together in Silicon Valley, Embodied Recovery, blending their personal experiences with professional expertise and insights drawn from ancient wisdom. Hear how their practices are designed to help people regulate their nervous systems, process trauma and reconnect with their inner wisdom. Explore Greg and Michael's nonprofit, Melos, here.  Visit the Embodied Recovery website here.  Learn more about the SunDo Practice here. Related episodes:  He Saw a Gap in Addiction Treatment and Decided to Do Something About It‘Be Glad:’ Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Gladys McGareyWhen Men Don’t Cry: Confronting the Culture of Silent GriefSend us Fan Mail Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.They were... daughterssonsmothersfathersfriendswiveshusbandscousinsboyfriendsgirlfriends.They were More Than Just A Number.  Support the show Connect with Angela Follow Grieving Out Loud Follow Emily's Hope Read Angela’s Blog Subscribe to Grieving Out Loud/Emily’s Hope Updates Suggest a Guest For more episodes and information, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity Wishing you faith, hope and courage! Podcast producers: Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

If you love, you will likely grieve. That isn’t meant to sound heavy; it’s simply human. And most of us, if we haven’t already, will one day lose someone we love. For today’s guest on Grieving Out Loud, those losses came much earlier than they do for many. Sylvia Wolfer was just seven years old when her father died suddenly from a heart attack. At 17, she lost her younger brother in a car crash. Several years later, her older brother was killed in a separate car crash. Since then, Sylvia has learned not only how to navigate her own grief, but how to walk alongside others in theirs. She believes grief doesn’t disappear, but it can change. It can become something you carry, rather than something that controls you. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Sylvia shares practical ways to move through grief and reflects on what her own losses have taught her about resilience, perspective and the fragile, beautiful nature of life. Explore Sylvia's website and her work here.  Related epsiodes: Growing Up with Grief: Emily’s Siblings Open UpCoping With Grief and Choosing Life After TragedySurviving the holiday season while grievingWhen Men Don’t Cry: Confronting the Culture of Silent GriefBroken Heart Syndrome: 4 Ways We GrieveSend us Fan Mail Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.They were... daughterssonsmothersfathersfriendswiveshusbandscousinsboyfriendsgirlfriends.They were More Than Just A Number.  Support the show Connect with Angela Follow Grieving Out Loud Follow Emily's Hope Read Angela’s Blog Subscribe to Grieving Out Loud/Emily’s Hope Updates Suggest a Guest For more episodes and information, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity Wishing you faith, hope and courage! Podcast producers: Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

Every life carries a purpose. But when a child dies young, it can feel as if that purpose was cut short, or even stolen. We’re left with questions that don’t have easy answers: What was their life meant to be? What impact did they have? How did they leave their mark on the world? Andrea Magder knows that feeling all too well. She lost her artistic son, Ethan, suddenly to an opioid overdose. From music to poetry to even a novel, Ethan loved expressing himself through creativity. But Andrea is working to turn that loss into something lasting. She’s created an online gallery showcasing the work of artists from around the world who have passed away, giving their creativity a chance to live on. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Andrea opens up about loving her son through his battle with addiction, finding a way to keep moving forward through overwhelming grief, and the ways she’s now helping others navigate their own journeys of loss. Visit The Artist Lives gallery here.  If you enjoyed this episode, check out the following:  Lights, camera, change: Emmy nominated producer creates documentary about addiction following son’s deathThe Voice You Knew — The Story You Didn’tInside Victoria’s Voice: The Diary That’s Waking Parents Up Send us Fan Mail Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.They were... daughterssonsmothersfathersfriendswiveshusbandscousinsboyfriendsgirlfriends.They were More Than Just A Number.  Support the show Connect with Angela Follow Grieving Out Loud Follow Emily's Hope Read Angela’s Blog Subscribe to Grieving Out Loud/Emily’s Hope Updates Suggest a Guest For more episodes and information, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity Wishing you faith, hope and courage! Podcast producers: Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

When President Trump signed an executive order classifying fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, some who have lost loved ones to the powerful synthetic opioid applauded the decision. But a drug historian argues The White House is making serious mistakes in its approach to the crisis. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, historian Dr. David Herzberg looks back at earlier substance crises in the United States and discusses what went wrong, what went right, and what lessons those experiences might hold today. He explores how history can inform today’s policies, the unintended consequences of past approaches, and why understanding the bigger picture is crucial for tackling the opioid epidemic. By examining decades of drug trends and responses, Herzberg offers a perspective that goes beyond politics, helping listeners think critically about how America can respond more effectively to fentanyl and other substance crises. Explore David's website and books here.  Dr. Herzberg says research shows that roughly 75% of people who use even the most addictive drugs like heroin and cocaine do not develop an addiction. This means addiction risk is shaped less by the drug itself and more by a person’s circumstances, environment, and biology. That is why prevention, early intervention, and access to treatment matter so much.  1. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) / Addiction Center (sourced from national survey data): “Approximately 25% of people who use illicit drugs develop an addiction.” — AddictionCenter.com, sourced from national substance use data 2. Peer-reviewed academic literature: Schlag, A.K. (2020). “Percentages of problem drug use and their implications for policy making: A review of the literature.” International Journal of Drug Policy. Key finding: “The majority of drug use is episodic, transient and generally non-problematic.” If you enjoyed this episode, check out the following:  How Do We End the Fentanyl Epidemic? A Candid Conversation with a Former DEA ChiefCan We Save Lives While Cutting Funding? A Tough Conversation at the TopHe Saw a Gap in AddictiSend us Fan Mail Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.They were... daughterssonsmothersfathersfriendswiveshusbandscousinsboyfriendsgirlfriends.They were More Than Just A Number.  Support the show Connect with Angela Follow Grieving Out Loud Follow Emily's Hope Read Angela’s Blog Subscribe to Grieving Out Loud/Emily’s Hope Updates Suggest a Guest For more episodes and information, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity Wishing you faith, hope and courage! Podcast producers: Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, hear from the new CEO of Shatterproof, a national nonprofit working to reverse the addiction crisis. Pam Jenkins recently stepped into the organization’s top role after more than three decades in public health. Jenkins is widely recognized for creating bold, award-winning health campaigns that break through the noise. She led the team that introduced the Red Dress as the national symbol for women and heart disease, a campaign that reshaped public awareness across the country. In our conversation, she shares her top priorities as CEO, what concerns her most about the current addiction crisis, and how she plans to use her platform to drive meaningful change in a fight that impacts millions of Americans. Explore Shatterproof's Treatment Atlas here.  Related Episodes: Investigative Reporter Uncovers Abuse and Profit in Rehab ProgramsLife-saving scholarship: How Emily’s Hope treatment scholarship gave a woman her life backShatterproof founder’s life mission after losing son Send us Fan Mail Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.They were... daughterssonsmothersfathersfriendswiveshusbandscousinsboyfriendsgirlfriends.They were More Than Just A Number.  Support the show Connect with Angela Follow Grieving Out Loud Follow Emily's Hope Read Angela’s Blog Subscribe to Grieving Out Loud/Emily’s Hope Updates Suggest a Guest For more episodes and information, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity Wishing you faith, hope and courage! Podcast producers: Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

Lori Kellar is one of the more than 48 million Americans who have struggled with addiction. Like so many people, it began with something that didn’t seem dangerous at all: casual, social drinking. Over time, though, alcohol slowly took control, unraveling her life and putting strain on her relationships with her children, grandchildren and her husband, Dennis. For years, Lori battled her disease in silence, doing everything she could to hide it. When she finally found the courage to say yes to help, she was met with another crushing reality. Treatment came with a price she felt she couldn’t afford. That’s when an Emily’s Hope Treatment Scholarship stepped in. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Lori opens up about her battle with addiction, and Dennis shares his experience of loving someone through it. They talk about what they wish they had known sooner, the fear and uncertainty along the way, and how everything began to change when Lori said yes to the help she so desperately needed. If you enjoyed this episode, you may like the following:  ‘I lost who I was.’ Emily’s Hope Treatment Scholarship gives mom second chanceLife-saving scholarship: How Emily’s Hope treatment scholarship gave a woman her life backThe Voice You Knew — The Story You Didn’t Send us Fan Mail Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.They were... daughterssonsmothersfathersfriendswiveshusbandscousinsboyfriendsgirlfriends.They were More Than Just A Number.  Support the show Connect with Angela Follow Grieving Out Loud Follow Emily's Hope Read Angela’s Blog Subscribe to Grieving Out Loud/Emily’s Hope Updates Suggest a Guest For more episodes and information, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity Wishing you faith, hope and courage! Podcast producers: Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

Patricia Roos was a sociology professor at Rutgers University when she lost her 25-year-old son, Alex, to a heroin overdose. In the aftermath of that loss, she redirected her life’s work by examining the systemic forces that fuel addiction and the shortcomings of how the nation responds to the overdose crisis, particularly the heavy reliance on the criminal justice system. Her new book, Surviving Alex: A Mother’s Story of Love, Loss, and Addiction, weaves together her personal story and professional expertise. Through it, she examines how stigma, inequity and a lack of compassion within our health care and treatment systems can lead to devastating outcomes — and how we can begin to do better. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Patricia shares her journey as both a mother and a researcher, what she learned while desperately trying to help her son, and how she’s using her voice to call for systemic change and a more compassionate response to substance use disorder. If you enjoyed this episode, check out the following: He Saw a Gap in Addiction Treatment and Decided to Do Something About ItInvestigative Reporter Uncovers Abuse and Profit in Rehab Programs‘The ugliest, biggest elephant in the room:’ Confronting addiction as a diseaseA mother’s urgent message on mental health and addictionSend us Fan Mail Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.They were... daughterssonsmothersfathersfriendswiveshusbandscousinsboyfriendsgirlfriends.They were More Than Just A Number.  Support the show Connect with Angela Follow Grieving Out Loud Follow Emily's Hope Read Angela’s Blog Subscribe to Grieving Out Loud/Emily’s Hope Updates Suggest a Guest For more episodes and information, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity Wishing you faith, hope and courage! Podcast producers: Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

You may know her as the voice of Sally Brown in Peanuts, but by the time she was just 11 years old, Hilary Momberger-Powers had already appeared in dozens of commercials. Behind that familiar voice, though, was a child quietly struggling — with the voices in her own head and the ones she couldn’t escape at home, where she endured emotional abuse from a mother battling alcohol addiction. That early trauma set Hilary on a dangerous path marked by substance use, abuse and homelessness at a young age. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, she courageously shares her story, what helped her heal and find recovery, and the advice she offers to others who may be walking a similar road. Learn more about and purchase Hilary's book here.  If you enjoyed this episode, you may like the following: A mother-daughter journey from Hollywood to heroin to healingGrowing Up with Grief: Emily’s Siblings Open UpA TV Anchor Shares Her Loss to Overdose and Efforts to End StigmaSend us Fan Mail Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.They were... daughterssonsmothersfathersfriendswiveshusbandscousinsboyfriendsgirlfriends.They were More Than Just A Number.  Support the show Connect with Angela Follow Grieving Out Loud Follow Emily's Hope Read Angela’s Blog Subscribe to Grieving Out Loud/Emily’s Hope Updates Suggest a Guest For more episodes and information, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity Wishing you faith, hope and courage! Podcast producers: Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

Sometimes the most meaningful change does not start in a boardroom or a big city. It starts when one person decides they cannot look away anymore. That is exactly what happened with today’s guest. After seeing firsthand the urgent need for compassionate and accessible substance use disorder treatment in his New Mexico community, Trent Carter decided to take action. Trent is a nurse practitioner with a master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati and the founder of Renew Health, a recovery center built on the belief that everyone deserves hope, healing, and a real chance at recovery. Under his leadership, Renew Health has been named the best drug and alcohol rehab center in New Mexico and continues to grow by reaching more people, breaking down barriers to care, and reshaping what recovery can look like. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Trent shares how Renew Health began, what truly helps when someone you love is struggling with substance use disorder, and how we can start to turn the tide on the addiction epidemic together. Purchase Trent Carter's book, The Recovery Tool Belt, here. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to check out the following:  The TikTok doctor: An addiction medicine expert’s mission to reach the younger generationHow Do We End the Fentanyl Epidemic? A Candid Conversation with a Former DEA ChiefExpert insights on preventing substance abuse Send us Fan Mail Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.They were... daughterssonsmothersfathersfriendswiveshusbandscousinsboyfriendsgirlfriends.They were More Than Just A Number.  Support the show Connect with Angela Follow Grieving Out Loud Follow Emily's Hope Read Angela’s Blog Subscribe to Grieving Out Loud/Emily’s Hope Updates Suggest a Guest For more episodes and information, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity Wishing you faith, hope and courage! Podcast producers: Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

Today’s marijuana is not the marijuana of the 1960s and ’70s. It’s far more potent, and a growing body of research is linking heavy use to serious mental health issues, including psychosis and schizophrenia. Our guest on Grieving Out Loud, Kristen Gilliland, knows those dangers all too well. Her son experienced cannabis-induced psychosis and later died from an accidental drug overdose — a loss Kristen never imagined her own family would face. That reality is especially striking given her background. Kristen holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry and spent years as a professor teaching organic chemistry, neurochemistry, and the chemistry of drugs and poisons. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Kristen opens up about what she wishes she had known sooner, what parents need to understand as marijuana becomes more accessible, and how she leaned on her scientific background to find purpose after losing her son. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to check out the following:  Mother blames cannabis-induced psychosis for son’s death A Mother’s Warning About Laced Marijuana Teens Share What Really Works to Prevent Drug and Alcohol Use Send us Fan Mail Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.They were... daughterssonsmothersfathersfriendswiveshusbandscousinsboyfriendsgirlfriends.They were More Than Just A Number.  Support the show Connect with Angela Follow Grieving Out Loud Follow Emily's Hope Read Angela’s Blog Subscribe to Grieving Out Loud/Emily’s Hope Updates Suggest a Guest For more episodes and information, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity Wishing you faith, hope and courage! Podcast producers: Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

Substance use disorder is a devastating and complex disease, not only for the person experiencing it, but also for their families. Many people struggling with substance use carry deep shame, often asking themselves: Why can’t I stop? Why am I hurting the people I love? What’s wrong with me? The disease can also span generations, shaping both family histories and futures. That’s the case for Jennifer Chase. After the turmoil substances caused throughout her childhood, Chase was determined to take a different path. But a medical emergency altered the course of her life, and she developed an addiction of her own. She eventually found recovery, but not before witnessing her son begin his own dangerous struggle with substances. In today's episode of Grieving Out Loud, Chase shares how she uses her lived experience, and the knowledge she has gained about substance use disorder, to help other families facing the same disease. If you enjoyed this episode, check out the following: A Childhood Shaped by Loss, a Life Reclaimed in Sobriety ‘The ugliest, biggest elephant in the room:’ Confronting addiction as a disease ‘I lost who I was.’ Emily’s Hope Treatment Scholarship gives mom second chance Send us Fan Mail Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.They were... daughterssonsmothersfathersfriendswiveshusbandscousinsboyfriendsgirlfriends.They were More Than Just A Number.  Support the show Connect with Angela Follow Grieving Out Loud Follow Emily's Hope Read Angela’s Blog Subscribe to Grieving Out Loud/Emily’s Hope Updates Suggest a Guest For more episodes and information, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity Wishing you faith, hope and courage! Podcast producers: Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

Marijuana is a word that can quickly spark debate. Should it be legal? Does it offer real medical benefits? Is it a gateway drug? These questions continue to fuel controversy, and strong opinions exist on all sides. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, we sit down with Crissy Groenewegen, director of the Parent Action Network. She works closely with parents and families impacted by marijuana, helping them share their stories in ways that reach and influence lawmakers. We do not shy away from this complicated topic. How harmful can marijuana really be? What impact has legalization had on Americans’ mental and physical health? And how are businesses using legal loopholes to put profit over public safety? All of this and more in today’s conversation. If you enjoyed this episode, you may like the following:  Mother blames cannabis-induced psychosis for son’s death Inside Victoria’s Voice: The Diary That’s Waking Parents Up Grief, marijuana, and addiction: A conversation about cannabis use disorder Send us Fan Mail Behind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.They were... daughterssonsmothersfathersfriendswiveshusbandscousinsboyfriendsgirlfriends.They were More Than Just A Number.  Support the show Connect with Angela Follow Grieving Out Loud Follow Emily's Hope Read Angela’s Blog Subscribe to Grieving Out Loud/Emily’s Hope Updates Suggest a Guest For more episodes and information, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity Wishing you faith, hope and courage! Podcast producers: Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz