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    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 than 800 babies have received life-saving treatment in the four years since its opening, offering specialized support for opioid-exposed infants and their mothers in recovery.

    We’ll also hear from a mother whose life was transformed by the compassionate care she and her baby received, illustrating how, even amidst substance use disorder, hope and healing are possible.

    The Emily’s Hope Substance Use Prevention Curriculum has been carefully designed to address growing concerns surrounding substance use and overdose in our communities. Our curriculum focuses on age-appropriate and evidence-based content that educates children about the risks of substance use while empowering them to make healthy choices. 

    Support the show

    For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
    Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

    Podcast producers:
    Casey Wonnenberg & Kayli Fitz

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    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 minutes, each entering the world already fighting.

    "Every time I would take it, I would just feel so bad because I knew he was moving inside me. And it was just, it was horrible."

    We'll hear from Jazmin, a mother who faced addiction while pregnant. She tells us about her journey and how she and her newborn son found healing and help from a place where stigma is left at the door.

    "They made me feel like a person again. They made me feel like I'm a human again. Just because I used, it happens, but they didn't judge me. You know, they didn't judge. They saw Jazmin. They saw Jazmin in recovery. They saw Jazmin trying to get help."

    Tara Sundem, co -founder of Hushabye Nursery, shares how her center is redefining care for substance exposed babies and supporting mothers to build a future with their children.

    "This is how I'd want you to treat my daughter. I'd want you to like hug her and embrace her and tell her, number one, congratulations. Congratulations. Everyone that's pregnant, the first thing you hear is congratulations, I'm so excited for you. My families never get told that."

    While we're on a short break, I invite you to join us next week for this moving new episode of Grieving Out Loud. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use disorder, please visit emilyshope.charity for resources. Get ready for an inspiring conversation on the resilience to overcome and the power of compassion in recovery.

    We'll see you next week on Grieving Out Loud.

    The Emily’s Hope Substance Use Prevention Curriculum has been carefully designed to address growing concerns surrounding substance use and overdose in our communities. Our curriculum focuses on age-appropriate and evidence-based content that educates children about the risks of substance use while empowering them to make healthy choices. 

    Support the show

    For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
    Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

    Podcast producers:
    Casey Wonnenberg & Kayli Fitz

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    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’s story in her message about the opioid crisis, writing on Facebook: “We remember Tiarra, Jonathan, Alec, and millions of others who lost their lives from an overdose.”

    Dita has also challenged lawmakers on their views of substance use disorder, including Senator Lindsey Graham during a CNN Town Hall.

    On this episode of Grieving Out Loud, we sit down with Dita to talk about her life’s mission, her son’s story and what she would like every American to know about the fentanyl crisis and substance use disorder.

    Watch the full conversation with Vice President Kamala Harris here: https://app.frame.io/reviews/8a1c19ac-5713-4b60-b15e-68f28d5c3502/95c4f602-e755-491a-ad2a-e6365df25eda

    Watch the full interview with Lindsey Graham here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3xfGvuGr34

    The Emily’s Hope Substance Use Prevention Curriculum has been carefully designed to address growing concerns surrounding substance use and overdose in our communities. Our curriculum focuses on age-appropriate and evidence-based content that educates children about the risks of substance use while empowering them to make healthy choices. 

    Support the show

    For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
    Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

    Podcast producers:
    Casey Wonnenberg & Kayli Fitz

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    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, life, labor, laughter, and listening—with love as the cornerstone. Her message continues to inspire us to live with purpose and joy, regardless of life’s hardships. Join us as we honor her legacy by revisiting this insightful episode, originally recorded one year ago. Listen now to remember her spirit and her words.

    Link to Dr. Gladys' Celebration of Life Services: https://www.foundationforlivingmedicine.org/memorial/services/

    Link to Dr. Gladys' Book, The Well Lived Life: https://gladysmcgarey.com/#

    The Emily’s Hope Substance Use Prevention Curriculum has been carefully designed to address growing concerns surrounding substance use and overdose in our communities. Our curriculum focuses on age-appropriate and evidence-based content that educates children about the risks of substance use while empowering them to make healthy choices. 

    Support the show

    For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
    Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

    Podcast producers:
    Casey Wonnenberg & Kayli Fitz

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    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 National Survey on Drug Use, nearly 49 million Americans—almost 17% of the population—are struggling with substance use disorder.

    So why don’t we talk about it more? The Cavallos believe that shame and stigma play a huge role, keeping people silent and preventing them from seeking the help they so desperately need.

    If you or someone you love is affected, please visit our website, emilyshope.charity, for a list of helpful resources.

    The Emily’s Hope Substance Use Prevention Curriculum has been carefully designed to address growing concerns surrounding substance use and overdose in our communities. Our curriculum focuses on age-appropriate and evidence-based content that educates children about the risks of substance use while empowering them to make healthy choices. 

    Support the show

    For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
    Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

    Podcast producers:
    Casey Wonnenberg & Kayli Fitz

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    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 the deadly reality of fentanyl far too late. She’s here to share her son’s story—his battle with substance use disorder—and the hard lessons she wishes she had known sooner.

    If you or someone you love is struggling, please don’t wait to get help. Fentanyl is finding its way into street drugs, and even a tiny amount can be deadly. You can find helpful resources on our website—emilyshope.charity—because time really does matter.

    Also, if you have an idea for a Grieving Out Loud episode, email Angela at [email protected]

    The Emily’s Hope Substance Use Prevention Curriculum has been carefully designed to address growing concerns surrounding substance use and overdose in our communities. Our curriculum focuses on age-appropriate and evidence-based content that educates children about the risks of substance use while empowering them to make healthy choices. 

    Support the show

    For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
    Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

    Podcast producers:
    Casey Wonnenberg & Kayli Fitz

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    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 we reflect on the lessons gained from past episodes, we also consider the importance of community and connection in navigating the rocky terrain of grief. Whether through personal reflection or by finding comfort in the stories of others, this episode serves as a reminder that while grief is an inevitable part of life, the potential for growth and healing is always present. Join us as we dive into these words of wisdom, offering strength and support to anyone traveling through the landscape of loss.

    Listen to “Surviving the holiday season while grieving” with Dr. Mark Vande Braak - Episode 143: https://emilyshope.charity/episode/dr-mark-vande-braak/

    Guests featured in this episode:

    Deric & Kathy Kidd - Episode 181
    Chris Didier - Episode 149
    Murray & Kay Sumner - Episode 128
    Dr. Gladys McGarey - Episode 132
    Bradi Harrison Nathan - Episode 172
    Carol Wolfe - Episode 146
    Harold Noreiga - Episode 136
    Lynn Gillette - Episode 147
    Ed Ternan - Episode 133
    Dr. Mark Vande Braak - Episode 88
    Justin Phillips - Episode 153
    Debbie Evans - Episode 135
    Ed Bisch - Episode 162
    Meghan Judge - Episode 154
    Heather Stang - Episode 139
    Natalie Eisenberg - Episode 170

    “Still Shining” by J. Raymond from the Kindred Project: Vol. II
    https://familycentredcarepractice.wordpress.com/2024/01/08/j-raymondstill-shiningthe-kindred-project-vol-ii/

    The Emily’s Hope Substance Use Prevention Curriculum has been carefully designed to address growing concerns surrounding substance use and overdose in our communities. Our curriculum focuses on age-appropriate and evidence-based content that educates children about the risks of substance use while empowering them to make healthy choices. 

    Support the show

    For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
    Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

    Podcast producers:
    Casey Wonnenberg & Kayli Fitz

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    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 granddaughter to drugs.

    In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Janan opens up about her emotional journey, the lessons she’s learned through immense heartache, and how she’s finding the strength to move forward after such unimaginable losses.

    The Emily’s Hope Substance Use Prevention Curriculum has been carefully designed to address growing concerns surrounding substance use and overdose in our communities. Our curriculum focuses on age-appropriate and evidence-based content that educates children about the risks of substance use while empowering them to make healthy choices. 

    Support the show

    For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
    Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

    Podcast producers:
    Casey Wonnenberg & Kayli Fitz

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    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 overdoses. In the United States, nearly 300 people lose their lives to drugs every day.
    Amidst this widespread grief, the dealers responsible for these tragedies often go unpunished. But Hans and Laurie Arwine are channeling their profound sorrow into a powerful fight for justice. Their journey is one of resilience and hope, as they strive to honor their son’s memory by seeking accountability and making a difference.

    Join us today as we sit down with Hans and Laurie to hear their inspiring story of turning their pain into a mission for change, fighting for justice not just for their son, but for countless others affected by this crisis.

    The Emily’s Hope Substance Use Prevention Curriculum has been carefully designed to address growing concerns surrounding substance use and overdose in our communities. Our curriculum focuses on age-appropriate and evidence-based content that educates children about the risks of substance use while empowering them to make healthy choices. 

    Support the show

    For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
    Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

    Podcast producers:
    Casey Wonnenberg & Kayli Fitz

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    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 a deadly dose of fentanyl.
    Now, the Kidds have made it their mission to raise awareness about the fentanyl epidemic and the growing mental health crisis. Join us as we share their heartbreaking story and explore how they’re turning their unimaginable loss into a powerful fight for change.


    Do you have an idea for a Grieving Out Loud episode? We'd love to hear it. You can email Angela at [email protected].

    The Emily’s Hope Substance Use Prevention Curriculum has been carefully designed to address growing concerns surrounding substance use and overdose in our communities. Our curriculum focuses on age-appropriate and evidence-based content that educates children about the risks of substance use while empowering them to make healthy choices. 

    Support the show

    For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
    Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

    Podcast producers:
    Casey Wonnenberg & Kayli Fitz

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    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 a bit too close to home.

    Steven May joined Purdue as an OxyContin sales rep back in 1999. At first, he believed in what he was selling, but that changed quickly, and he became a whistleblower. Today, Steven shares his behind-the-scenes experience at Purdue during a time when the company was making huge profits as opioid addiction rates were spiraling out of control.

    The Emily’s Hope Substance Use Prevention Curriculum has been carefully designed to address growing concerns surrounding substance use and overdose in our communities. Our curriculum focuses on age-appropriate and evidence-based content that educates children about the risks of substance use while empowering them to make healthy choices. 

    Support the show

    For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
    Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

    Podcast producers:
    Casey Wonnenberg & Kayli Fitz

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    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 into the world.

    But life’s harshest trials lay ahead. Sandra’s world shattered when her cherished daughter fell into the grip of substance use disorder, ultimately losing her battle to a fatal overdose. The pain was compounded as Sandra faced her own struggle with addiction, plunging her into a darkness where the will to live seemed almost impossible to find.

    Yet Sandra’s story is not just one of loss and despair. It is a testament to resilience, a reminder that even when life delivers its cruelest blows, there remains a spark of hope. Sandra refuses to be defined by her grief. Instead, she strives to inspire others, showing that no matter how deep the pain, we must continue to dream, to fight, and to live.

    The Emily’s Hope Substance Use Prevention Curriculum has been carefully designed to address growing concerns surrounding substance use and overdose in our communities. Our curriculum focuses on age-appropriate and evidence-based content that educates children about the risks of substance use while empowering them to make healthy choices. 

    Support the show

    For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
    Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

    Podcast producers:
    Casey Wonnenberg & Kayli Fitz

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    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 this episode of Grieving Out Loud, we sit down with author Philip Eil, who spent nearly 15 years researching and writing about Volkman. His book, Prescription for Pain: How a Once-Promising Doctor Became the ‘Pill Mill Killer,' delves deep into Volkman’s transformation. Eil’s insights are drawn from interviews with Volkman himself, conversations with those affected by his crimes, and firsthand observations from Volkman’s courtroom sentencing. Tune in to hear his compelling perspective on the medical field’s role in the opioid epidemic.

    The Emily’s Hope Substance Use Prevention Curriculum has been carefully designed to address growing concerns surrounding substance use and overdose in our communities. Our curriculum focuses on age-appropriate and evidence-based content that educates children about the risks of substance use while empowering them to make healthy choices. 

    Support the show

    For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
    Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

    Podcast producers:
    Casey Wonnenberg & Kayli Fitz

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    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, followed by her dad’s just five hours later.

    Tune in to hear Sisler’s tragic story, how she navigated her grief, and why she’s decided to share her journey publicly. She has also authored a new book, “Shatterproof,” detailing her experience with grief, shock, and shame and offering a message of hope and resilience.

    The Emily’s Hope Substance Use Prevention Curriculum has been carefully designed to address growing concerns surrounding substance use and overdose in our communities. Our curriculum focuses on age-appropriate and evidence-based content that educates children about the risks of substance use while empowering them to make healthy choices. 

    Support the show

    For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
    Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

    Podcast producers:
    Casey Wonnenberg & Kayli Fitz

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    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 disorder.

    How can we turn the tide on this growing crisis? Today's guest, Rodney Wambeam, is a senior research scientist at the Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center. He has also served as a health and human services advisor to the governor of Nebraska and has devoted much of his life to figuring out how to prevent substance use and abuse.

    In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Wambeam shares crucial advice on preventing substance misuse and addiction. His insights are especially vital for parents, grandparents and teachers navigating the challenges of the opioid epidemic, offering hope and practical strategies to protect their families and communities.

    The Emily’s Hope Substance Use Prevention Curriculum has been carefully designed to address growing concerns surrounding substance use and overdose in our communities. Our curriculum focuses on age-appropriate and evidence-based content that educates children about the risks of substance use while empowering them to make healthy choices. 

    Support the show

    For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
    Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

    Podcast producers:
    Casey Wonnenberg & Kayli Fitz

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    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 grip of addiction.

    She shares the profound pain and isolation that comes with losing loved ones in such a stigmatized way. Yet, amidst her sorrow, Cheryl has found a purpose: helping others by creating a grief support group for those who have lost someone to illicit drugs.

    Do you have an idea for a Grieving Out Loud episode? Contact Angela at [email protected].

    Support the show

    For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
    Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

    Podcast producers:
    Casey Wonnenberg & Kayli Fitz

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    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 Health, more than 46 million Americans suffer from substance use disorder. Alongside these millions are countless others who struggle with a family member or friend dealing with addiction. It's not just spouses and parents affected—children often bear the brunt of this crisis.

    Hear Baleigh's unique perspective on America's addiction crisis in this episode of Grieving Out Loud.

    Support the show

    For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
    Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

    Podcast producers:
    Casey Wonnenberg & Kayli Fitz

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    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 intensified pressure on narcotics investigators nationwide, from the DEA to local police forces, to pursue justice for grieving families. Unfortunately, seeking justice for these tragedies is often slow and uncertain.

    In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, meet Matt Capelouto, a grieving father who is advocating for legislative changes to ensure that those who knowingly sell deadly drugs are held accountable with prison sentences. Along with working to change laws, Matt is the founder of Stop Drug Homicide.

    Support the show

    For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
    Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

    Podcast producers:
    Casey Wonnenberg & Kayli Fitz

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    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 was a deadly dose of fentanyl.

    Hear the heartbreaking story of Jack's death, and learn how his mom, Bradi Harrison Nathan, is now dedicated to helping others navigate mental health and substance use disorders in his honor.

    Also, check out more Grieving Out Loud episodes and read Angela's blog on our website. There, you can also find the episode mentioned in this podcast, "Grieving Mother Copes by Drawing Caricatures of Those Lost in the Fentanyl Epidemic.

    Support the show

    For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
    Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

    Podcast producers:
    Casey Wonnenberg & Kayli Fitz

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    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 true definition of moderate drinking in hopes of reversing this deadly trend. You might be surprised at how small amounts of alcohol can have significant adverse health impacts, especially for women.



    Support the show

    For more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, emilyshope.charity
    Wishing you faith, hope and courage!

    Podcast producers:
    Casey Wonnenberg & Kayli Fitz