Beste Opioid Epidemic podcaster (2025)

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When Words Are All That’s Left After Suicide 39:08

6d ago39:08

39:08

Sometimes, life delivers blow after blow, leaving you gasping for air. Whether it’s the loss of a job, a home, or someone you love, grief can feel all-consuming—like joy may never return. For Betsy Stephenson, the heartbreak came in rapid succession. Within just six weeks, she lost her mother-in-law to dementia, her family dog to cancer, and—most d…

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A Mother's Warning About Laced Marijuana 34:28

13d ago34:28

34:28

As more states legalize marijuana, its use is on the rise across the country. A recent analysis of National Survey on Drug Use and Health data shows that daily marijuana consumption has now surpassed daily alcohol use. But for one grieving mother, the growing acceptance of the drug comes with an urgent warning—where it comes from matters, and one b…

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A Mother Speaks Out After Her Daughter’s Deadly Online Encounter 49:37

20d ago49:37

49:37

Social media can be a great way to connect with friends and family, but do you really know what your child is doing online? The DEA warns that drug networks are increasingly using these platforms to find new customers, while sex traffickers also exploit them to lure victims. Now, the FBI is raising alarms about a rise in violent online networks tar…

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She Dialed a Hotline Before Using Drugs: That Call Saved Her Life 40:33

27d ago40:33

40:33

As the United States continues to grapple with a deadly opioid crisis, Narcan—a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses—has become more accessible. Experts credit this expanded availability as one reason overdose deaths have declined over the past year. But Narcan can only save a life if someone is there to administer it—and that’s not always …

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‘The ugliest, biggest elephant in the room:’ Confronting addiction as a disease 40:18

1M ago40:18

40:18

Nicolas Getz once had a very specific image of what someone suffering from drug addiction looked like—a person panhandling on the street, wearing tattered clothing. But in his 20s, he learned firsthand that addiction doesn’t fit a single stereotype. Substance use disorder affects 48.5 million Americans, or 17 percent of the population. Getz became …

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A Pill Bought via Craigslist Cost Him His Life 40:23

1M ago40:23

40:23

Peter and Erica Zurkow never imagined they would be part of a nationwide TV special—especially for a reason that once felt unimaginable. They thought their 23-year-old son, Henry, was safe in his own home, sleeping soundly in his bedroom. But in reality, he was in danger. The pill he purchased through Craigslist turned out to be deadly. In this emo…

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Mother Blames Cannabis-Induced Psychosis for Son’s Death 40:06

2M ago40:06

40:06

As more states legalize marijuana, its use is becoming increasingly normalized—even among teenagers. According to the latest data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, one in four high school seniors reported using cannabis in the past year. But on today’s episode of Grieving Out Loud, a grieving mother is warning others about the risks. Laura…

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Beating the Odds from Gang Life to Changing Lives 36:45

2M ago36:45

36:45

From an abusive childhood to growing up in extreme poverty and joining a gang at just 11 years old, Jose Rivera’s path could have led to devastation. Most of the people he once ran with are no longer alive—but Jose beat the odds. Now, he's dedicating his life to helping others struggling with abuse, mental health challenges and substance use disord…

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Saving Lives After Overdose One Call at a Time 28:43

2M ago28:43

28:43

Every six minutes, an American dies from a drug overdose—let that sink in. Every six minutes. The United States is in the midst of its deadliest drug epidemic, yet many overdose deaths could be prevented. One critical warning sign? A non-fatal overdose. Survivors of an overdose face a significantly higher risk of another—one that could be fatal. Re…

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Addiction Behind the Headlines 34:52

2M ago34:52

34:52

From movies like The Morning Show to classic TV series like The Mary Tyler Moore Show, audiences have long been captivated by the fast-paced world of journalism. But behind the scenes, real-life newsrooms can be anything but glamorous. Journalism is a high-pressure profession, with tight deadlines and little room for error. While there isn’t a wide…

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A TV Anchor Shares Her Loss to Overdose and Efforts to End Stigma 39:47

3M ago39:47

39:47

As an evening news anchor, Laura Monteverdi is used to reporting difficult stories—but one of the hardest stories she’s ever told is her own. In this powerful episode of Grieving Out Loud, Laura opens up about the devastating loss of her boyfriend, Brock Eidsness, to a heroin overdose. At just 27 years old, Brock was full of life and ambition, work…

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‘I lost who I was.’ Emily’s Hope Treatment Scholarship gives mom second chance 31:29

3M ago31:29

31:29

Chances are, you or someone you know is battling substance use disorder. The latest numbers from the U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health show that nearly 49 million Americans struggle with addiction. Getting help is tough. First, there’s the hard part: admitting there’s a problem and deciding to seek treatment, especially with the stigma su…

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From Adoption to Loss—One Mother’s Journey of Love and Resilience 32:07

3M ago32:07

32:07

From infertility struggles to adoption, and then watching her child fight cancer, Brenda Reedy’s journey has been anything but easy. Through every challenge, she faced it with unwavering dedication and resilience. But just as she thought the worst was behind her, life took another heartbreaking turn—when her son entered his teenage years, he began …

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Minnesota’s First Addiction and Recovery Director on Drugs, Policy, and Controversial Solutions 31:42

3M ago31:42

31:42

To battle the nation’s opioid and substance use disorder epidemic, Minnesota has created a new position focused on the problem. The governor appointed Jeremy Drucker to serve as the administration’s first Addiction and Recovery Director. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, host Angela Kennecke sits down with Drucker to gather his insights both pr…

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The Mission to Unite America Against the Fentanyl Crisis 42:14

3M ago42:14

42:14

People from across the nation will come together this September to walk in support of raising awareness about the fentanyl crisis. Surprisingly, the man behind this movement doesn’t have a personal connection to the epidemic. Instead, his mission was sparked when he ran through a town grappling with the opioid crisis and felt compelled to make a di…

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Reading, writing, and recovery at a high school helping teens with addiction 31:54

4M ago31:54

31:54

Being a teen is challenging enough, but imagine facing the added burden of addiction. Drug use is especially harmful to the developing brain, altering its structure in ways that can increase the risk of long-term addiction and other serious issues. But thanks to a unique high school in Las Vegas that combines education with substance use disorder t…

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TV Anchors step up with naloxone training to fight the opioid crisis 23:15

4M ago23:15

23:15

Award-winning journalists Iris St. Meran and Christie Casciano bring Syracuse, New York's biggest stories to light, covering everything from government decisions to crime. This year, however, they encountered a crisis they couldn’t simply cover from the newsroom. After repeatedly hearing overdose calls on the police scanner, they felt compelled to …

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Former college coach speaks out after losing standout athlete son to fentanyl 29:38

4M ago29:38

29:38

For so many young athletes, playing a college sport is the dream. But for Taelin Webb, one wasn’t enough—he excelled in two. From standout basketball player to football star at Southern Utah University, Taelin was the kind of athlete who seemed unstoppable: disciplined, passionate, and in peak physical condition. Taelin’s dad, Vonn Webb, who also c…

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‘I can, so I do:’ Powerful stories of loss, advocacy & hope from 2024 56:12

4M ago56:12

56:12

Welcome to a special edition of Grieving Out Loud, where we reflect on some of the most impactful conversations of 2024. This year, we shared stories that illuminated the devastating effects of the overdose and fentanyl crisis—stories ranging from a Nashville wedding overshadowed by tragedy to a sister’s fight for justice after her brother’s murder…

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Changing lives through grief and the gift of pain 40:53

5M ago40:53

40:53

His resume is nothing short of remarkable. Mark Bodnarczuk is a brilliant intellectual, a celebrated author, and a respected researcher who manages and provides oversight for three programs at Stanford. Yet, his latest book Finding New Life After the Death of my Son ventures far beyond his professional accolades—it delves into the raw, devastating …

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Shedding light on underreported overdose deaths with Truth Pharm 41:50

5M ago41:50

41:50

Opioid overdose deaths in the U.S. have dropped to their lowest levels since 2020, with new CDC estimates showing just over 60,650 lives lost between June 2023 and June 2024—an 18% decrease from the previous year. While this is a hopeful trend, the real story might be far more sobering. On this episode of Grieving Out Loud, we delve into the hidden…

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Her shocking loss made international headlines—Now she’s helping others navigate grief 39:59

5M ago39:59

39:59

Nicola Marshall’s world was shattered by a sudden, heartbreaking loss that made headlines around the globe. Her 12-year-old son died after falling from a balcony while they were vacationing in Spain. Yet, amidst this unimaginable heartache, Nicola discovered a way to move forward—one careful step at a time. Now, she has dedicated her life to unders…

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A Minnesota mother’s public plea to save lives after a fentanyl tragedy 35:35

6M ago35:35

35:35

Nearly 49 million Americans, or about 17% of the population, are battling addiction, according to the latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Now, picture ten of your closest friends—nearly two of them could be quietly fighting this hidden battle. Yet, addiction often remains a silent struggle, weighed down by stigma and shame. For years, Mi…

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Exposing ‘New York’s Deadliest Pill Pusher’ 39:55

6M ago39:55

39:55

Doctors are people we often trust to make the best decisions for our health. While that's usually the case, it’s not always true. Dr. Stan Li, a once-respected anesthesiologist, became known as "New York’s deadliest pill pusher." Li wrote more than 21,000 prescriptions for drugs such as oxycodone and Xanax and was ultimately convicted of manslaught…

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Saving tiny lives and healing families at a sanctuary for opioid-exposed newborns 39:54

6M ago39:54

39:54

Addiction's impact extends far beyond adults and teens—each year, over 20,000 babies are born dependent on drugs due to prenatal exposure. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, we speak with a neonatal nurse practitioner who saw a critical need to provide care for these vulnerable newborns and their families. At Hushabye Nursery in Phoenix, more th…

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Preview: A glimpse into healing for next week's powerful episode 3:36

6M ago3:36

3:36

We're taking a break this week for the election, but we will return next week with a powerful new episode of Grieving Out Loud. Next week's episode dives into a struggle that too many families face, but often goes unspoken. Every year, more than 20,000 babies are born affected by a mother's substance use during pregnancy. That's one baby every 25 m…

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Mother who lost son to fentanyl sits down with Vice President Harris 44:20

6M ago44:20

44:20

After losing her son Alec to fentanyl poisoning on his 26th birthday, Dita Bhargava has transformed her grief into action, becoming a powerful voice in the fight against fentanyl. She’s engaged in important conversations with political leaders across America, including Vice President Kamala Harris. On Overdose Awareness Day, Harris highlighted Dita…

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'Be Glad:' Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Gladys McGarey 35:37

7M ago35:37

35:37

In this special episode of Grieving Out Loud, we revisit a cherished conversation with Dr. Gladys McGarey, a trailblazer in holistic medicine who passed away on September 28th at the age of 103. Her wisdom transcended the medical field, emphasizing that love is the most powerful healing force. Dr. Gladys built her life around the five L’s: love, li…

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Family's Double Tragedy: Father and daughter share loss of two to addiction 41:30

7M ago41:30

41:30

Imagine losing not only your mother, but also your twin sister to substance use disorder. On this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Cristina Cavallo and her father, Chris, share their deeply personal and heartbreaking story in hopes of raising awareness about a disease that touches millions yet is often left in the shadows. According to the latest Nati…

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What a mother wishes she knew before losing her son to fentanyl 29:01

7M ago29:01

29:01

As a grieving mother who fought to get help for my daughter’s substance use disorder—and ultimately lost her to fentanyl—I’m often asked what advice I have, or what I wish I had done differently. Today on Grieving Out Loud, I sit down with another grieving mother at the DEA Family Summit on Fentanyl. Kate Sloan, like so many others, learned about t…

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Words of Wisdom: Surviving Grief 55:06

7M ago55:06

55:06

In this special episode of Grieving Out Loud, released for International Podcast Day, we deeply look at grief and its multifaceted nature. In our nearly 200 episodes, we’ve shared deeply personal stories from individuals navigating their own paths through loss, offering listeners a chance to find solace and understanding in shared experiences. As w…

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A mother's and grandmother’s grief over innocent lives lost in the drug epidemic 30:31

8M ago30:31

30:31

As the United States faces its deadliest drug epidemic in history, lives are being lost in unimaginable ways. Over the past two decades, more than 5,000 children and teens have died from fentanyl—among them, toddlers and even infants. Janan Haugen knows these devastating numbers all too well. She’s lost not only her son to drugs, but also her grand…

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A family’s battle for justice in the fentanyl crisis 29:35

8M ago29:35

29:35

Hans Arwine choked back tears as he recalled the moment he had to tell his wife that their son was gone. ”That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done–tell his mother that he was no longer with us,” he said. The heartbreaking scene is tragically familiar across America—parents receiving the devastating news that their children have died from fentanyl …

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Family invited to the State of the Union to raise fentanyl awareness 37:14

8M ago37:14

37:14

An Iowa couple was invited to the State of the Union address for a reason they could have never imagined just a few years ago. Deric and Kathy Kidd were unaware of how lethal the illicit drug supply had become until the day they found their teenage son dead in his bedroom. He had taken half a pill, thinking it was Percocet, but it turned out to be …

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Former Purdue Pharma sales rep turns whistleblower 28:46

8M ago28:46

28:46

Opioid deaths started skyrocketing when the powerful prescription painkiller OxyContin hit the market. Purdue Pharma, the company behind the drug, has been found guilty of numerous charges. It is now featured in a new Netflix original, "Painkiller," highlighting the company’s pushy sales tactics. For some viewers, like today’s guest, the show hits …

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A mother's journey through grief, addiction, and finding hope after losing her daughter 33:13

9M ago33:13

33:13

Your life dreams may include starting a business, building a dream home, or nurturing a healthy marriage. But for many, like Sandra Radford, the deepest dream is raising children—a dream she fought to achieve through IVF. Despite the heartbreak of losing two of her triplets during pregnancy, Sandra’s joy was boundless when she welcomed her daughter…

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From pediatrician to pill mill: The shocking case of Dr. Volkman 40:41

9M ago40:41

40:41

He’s one of the most notorious pill mill doctors: Dr. Paul Volkman. Sentenced to four consecutive life sentences for unlawfully prescribing pain medications that led to multiple deaths, his story is a shocking descent from a respected pediatrician and emergency room physician to a key figure in flooding southern Ohio with prescription drugs. In thi…

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ESPN reporter shares personal tragedy of losing both parents within hours to fentanyl 51:51

9M ago51:51

51:51

She’s known for her Sideline Shimmy. ESPN sports broadcaster Lauren Sisler is a sideline reporter for college football and gymnastics. But behind the camera, Lauren hid a family secret for a decade. Both of her parents struggled with opioid use disorder after being prescribed painkillers by doctors—a disease that ultimately took her mom’s life, fol…

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Expert insights on preventing substance abuse 37:09

9M ago37:09

37:09

Not only is the United States battling its deadliest drug epidemic in history, but an increasing number of Americans are also struggling with substance use disorder. According to survey data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, nearly 49 million people in the US aged 12 and older – more than one in six – have a substance use disor…

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Mother shares grief journey after losing two children to drug overdose 27:39

10M ago27:39

27:39

Grief—it's a heavy burden, a journey that changes us forever. Each person's path through it is uniquely painful. Today, nearly one in three Americans has felt the devastating loss of someone to a drug overdose. In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Cheryl Juaire shares her heart-wrenching story of losing not one but two children to the relentless g…

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Growing up in the shadow of addiction 29:34

10M ago29:34

29:34

Think back to your childhood—maybe you remember a classmate who misbehaved. Did you know what was happening at home? In Baleigh Cerv's case, she struggled with living with a father who suffered from alcohol addiction and was abusive. Unfortunately, her story is all too common. According to the latest data from the National Survey of Drug Use and He…

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A grieving father's fight to bring deadly drug dealers to justice 31:41

10M ago31:41

31:41

Should drug dealers face prison time? It's a contentious issue with strong opinions on both sides. For years, law enforcement often treated drug overdose deaths as accidental or the fault of the victim. However, with a record surge in fentanyl-related fatalities in the United States, attitudes are evolving. The alarming rise in deaths has intensifi…

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Promising young entrepreneur dies after taking counterfeit percocet 30:03

10M ago30:03

30:03

At just 19 years old, Jack Nathan had a bright and promising future. He founded his own apparel company, Happy Jack, and generously donated some proceeds to support children struggling with mental health issues. However, a single decision changed everything. Jack's life was tragically cut short when he took what he thought was a Percocet, but it wa…

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The silent crisis of alcohol and women's liver disease 31:15

10M ago31:15

31:15

Originally released on August 4th, 2022 Deaths from alcohol-related liver disease are rising sharply among women. Today's guest, Dr. Jessica Mellinger, a liver specialist at the University of Michigan, has witnessed a 60% increase in waitlisting and transplants for patients with alcoholic hepatitis. She's on a mission to raise awareness about the t…

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CEO launches passion project to educate others about grief 36:32

11M ago36:32

36:32

Grief—it's a heart-wrenching emotion that most of us will likely have to experience. Often, we're unprepared for the overwhelming pain and sorrow, and we struggle to know how to support friends who have lost loved ones. A Sioux Falls, South Dakota, businesswoman has started a passion project to educate others about grief following her mother's deat…

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A mother's urgent message on mental health and addiction 36:41

11M ago36:41

36:41

Have you ever wondered how deeply intertwined mental health and addiction can be? According to reports published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, around half of those with serious mental health issues also struggle with substance use disorder. Experts say that certain substances can trigger mental health problems, while mental he…

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One woman's path to overcome abuse and addiction 33:10

11M ago33:10

33:10

In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Angela Kennecke talks with Elaine Mingus about her journey through severe challenges and eventual recovery. Elaine shares her story of surviving sexual abuse and battling depression, an eating disorder, and a substance use disorder. Her experiences highlight the power of resilience and the importance of finding…

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“Half my original family is gone” - Fentanyl’s deadly toll on families 27:46

11M ago27:46

27:46

After Heather Ruzic tragically lost her son to illicit fentanyl in 2015, she made it her mission to warn others about the danger. Yet, as time passed, she witnessed more parents suffering similar tragedies while the epidemic continued to impact her family in unforeseen ways. Heather's first husband also died from fentanyl poisoning. She faced a bat…

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A middle-class family man's journey into homelessness and heroin 44:15

12M ago44:15

44:15

Tom Wolf embodied the quintessential image of a middle-class family man—married, with two children, living in the suburbs, and holding a steady job as a child support officer. However, his life took a drastic turn after a seemingly routine foot surgery led to a prescription for painkillers. Listen as we delve into Tom's journey from a happy, hardwo…

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A grieving mother's memoir about addiction inspires a screenplay 29:58

12M ago29:58

29:58

"Slow Dancing with the Devil"--that's the title of Susan Bartz Herrick's book that's now being turned into a screenplay. It's a story that the grieving mother never wanted to write--a heartbreaking memoir of her son's relentless 20-year battle with substance use disorder, a fight he unfortunately lost due to fentanyl poisoning. But Susan's narrativ…

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