Tag Archives: grief podcast

The Mary Mac Show | Death By Fentanyl Podcast Series | Terry Almanza’s 18 yo Daughter Sydney

In Episode 203, I speak with Terry Almanza, Founder, Director and CEO of Drug-Induced Homicide Foundation, about her daughter Sydney’s death at age 18 to ecstasy poisoning.

Terry is a former Chicago Police Officer having served 28 years on the job and now is committed to helping others through her organization who have had children die of poisonings.

She believes drug dealers are getting away with murder and encourages others to push for better laws and justice in their communities.

Terry Almanza, Drug Induced Homicide Foundation

The Drug-Induced Homicide Foundation is helping families and making their voices heard so we can decrease this scourge on our children and society, which is leaving hundreds of thousands of parents and families to grieve their deaths. You can also join their facebook group here.

Watch my interview with Terry here:

Please like, comment and share this episode with others who could benefit from it and subscribe for future episode of this series.

#death #ecstasypoisoning #deathofadaughter #terryalmanza #sydney #druginducedhomicidefoundation #themarymacshow #marymac #grieving #grievingchildren #griefpodcast #marymacjournals #themarymacjournalcollection #marymacjournalcollection #marymacjournals #grief #myjournal #mygriefjournal #mygratitudejournal #myremembrancejournal #grieving #death #dying #journalsbymarymac #marymacjournalcollection #themarymacshowjournalcollection

Your support of my work, through PayPal is greatly appreciated.

Visit our other sites:

https://www.MaryMac.info – our primary hub. Pick up our free ebook “21 Things You Must Know About The Grieving Process.”

https://www.TheMaryMacShow.com – for all episodes of my podcast. Join my mailing list here.

The Mary Mac Show You Tube Channel – please subscribe to our channel, like our videos and share.

https://www.GriefAuthority.com – pick up our digital book collection to download immediately upon purchase.

https://www.FoundationForGrievingChildren.org/donate/ – your donation to our cause will be a big help for hurting young ones.

Let’s Be Friends:

Facebook – Ask Mary Mac
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymccambridge/
Instagram – @themarymacshowpodcast
Twitter – @askmarymac

author, death, dying, grief, grief education, grief education podcast, grief podcast, grief podcaster, grieving journals, journals as gifts, journals as presents, journals for women, journals for writing, loss, Mary M. McCambridge, Mary Mac, mary mac journals, my gratitude journal, my grief journal, my journal, my remembrance journal, podcast for grief, podcaster, podcast for grief education, podcast for grievers, the mary mac journal collection, the mary mac show, writing

Thank you so much Terry for sharing your story and your time.

We are grateful!

xoxo

The Mary Mac Show | Death By Fentanyl Podcast Series | Tammy Plakstis’ 29 yo Son Dylan

In Episode 202, I speak with Tammy Plakstis, Moderator of the Fentanyl Awareness Coalition’s facebook group, about her son Dylan’s death at age 29 to fentanyl poisoning.

She bravely shared Dylan’s unexpected illness and how it affected him, Tammy and her family.

Dylan did want his organs donated and it took a few more days after he could not be saved, for this to be completed. He saved many lives.

He is also survived by his father and five other siblings.

Dylan Edward Plakstis

Tammy is very active in creating awareness through the Fentanyl Awareness Coalition Facebook Group to help other families better understand fentanyl poisoning and also comforts Angel Moms there.

The Fentanyl Awareness Coalition is helping families and making their voices heard so we can decrease this scourge on our children and society, which is leaving hundreds of thousands of parents and families to grieve their deaths.

Watch my interview with Tammy here:

Visit The Fentanyl Awareness Coalition and its Facebook Group to learn more.

Please like, comment and share this episode with others who could benefit from it and subscribe for future episode of this series.

#death #fentanyl #fentanylpoisoning #fentanyldeaths #onepillcankill #poison #deathofason #tammyplakstis #dylan #fentanylawarenesscoalition #themarymacshow #marymac #grieving #grievingchildren #griefpodcast #marymacjournals #themarymacjournalcollection #marymacjournalcollection #marymacjournals #grief #myjournal #mygriefjournal #mygratitudejournal #myremembrancejournal #grieving #death #dying #journalsbymarymac #marymacjournalcollection #themarymacshowjournalcollection

Your support of my work, through PayPal is greatly appreciated.

Visit our other sites:

https://www.MaryMac.info – our primary hub. Pick up our free ebook “21 Things You Must Know About The Grieving Process.”

https://www.TheMaryMacShow.com – for all episodes of my podcast. Join my mailing list here.

The Mary Mac Show You Tube Channel – please subscribe to our channel, like our videos and share.

https://www.GriefAuthority.com – pick up our digital book collection to download immediately upon purchase.

https://www.FoundationForGrievingChildren.org/donate/ – your donation to our cause will be a big help for hurting young ones.

Let’s Be Friends:

Facebook – Ask Mary Mac

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymccambridge/

Instagram – @themarymacshowpodcast

Twitter – @askmarymac

author, death, dying, grief, grief education, grief education podcast, grief podcast, grief podcaster, grieving journals, journals as gifts, journals as presents, journals for women, journals for writing, loss, Mary M. McCambridge, Mary Mac, mary mac journals, my gratitude journal, my grief journal, my journal, my remembrance journal, podcast for grief, podcaster, podcast for grief education, podcast for grievers, the mary mac journal collection, the mary mac show, writing

Thank you so much Tammy for sharing your story and your time.

We are grateful!

xoxo

The Mary Mac Show | Death By Fentanyl Podcast Series | Diane Urban’s 25 yo Son Jordan

In Episode 201, I speak with Diane Urban, founder of the Association of People Against Lethal Drugs (APALD), about her son Jordan’s death at age 25 to fentanyl poisoning.

Jordan Garmatter 5/3/1993 – 4/6/2019

Diane turned her pain into a powerful organization to help others and spread awareness of this deadly drug.

They hold rallies in every state to engage the public, bereaved families and especially to get the politicians to do more on this issue.

Please visit the following sites to learn more and to get involved:

Visit the Association of People Against Lethal Drugs – https://www.weareapald.org

And their facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1025502964943186

Watch the video version of my conversation with Diane here –

Please share this episode with others who could benefit from it and subscribe for future episode of this series.

#death #fentanyl #onepillcankill #fentanylpoisoning #deathofason #dianeurban #jordangarmatter #apald #associationofpeopleagainstlethaldrugs #themarymacshow #marymac #grieving #grievingchildren #griefpodcast #marymacjournals #themarymacjournalcollection #marymacjournalcollection #marymacjournals #grief #myjournal #mygriefjournal #mygratitudejournal #myremembrancejournal #grieving #death #dying #journalsbymarymac #marymacjournalcollection #themarymacshowjournalcollection

Your support of my work, through PayPal – https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=DN22KFWSZ8XY8
– is greatly appreciated.

Visit our other sites:

https://www.MaryMac.info – our primary hub. Pick up our free ebook “21 Things You Must Know About The Grieving Process.”

https://www.TheMaryMacShow.com – for all episodes of my podcast. Join my mailing list here.

The Mary Mac Show You Tube Channel – https://www.youtube/@themarymacshow – please subscribe to our channel, like our videos and share.

https://www.GriefAuthority.com – pick up our digital book collection to download immediately upon purchase.

https://www.FoundationForGrievingChildren.org/donate/ – your donation to our cause will be a big help for hurting young ones.

author, death, dying, grief, grief education, grief education podcast, grief podcast, grief podcaster, grieving journals, journals as gifts, journals as presents, journals for women, journals for writing, loss, Mary M. McCambridge, Mary Mac, mary mac journals, my gratitude journal, my grief journal, my journal, my remembrance journal, podcast for grief, podcaster, podcast for grief education, podcast for grievers, the mary mac journal collection, the mary mac show, writing

Let’s Be Friends:

Facebook – Ask Mary Mac

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymccambridge/

Instagram – @themarymacshowpodcast

Twitter – @askmarymac

The Mary Mac Show | Death By Fentanyl Podcast Series | Andi Sommerfeld Lee’s 28 yo Daughter Amanda

In Episode 200, I speak with Andi Sommerfeld Lee, Vice President of the Fentanyl Awareness Coalition, about her daughter Amanda’s death at age 28 to fentanyl poisoning.

Amanda’s brother Mike and Andi at her HS graduation

Andi speaks candidly about Amanda’s addiction and how it devastated her family over many years. It completely consumed Andi as she tried to save her daughter’s life.

Amanda with beloved dog, Duck, who Andi now cares for

Affectionately called “Mana”, she is survived by her stepdad Rick Lee, whom Andi has been married to for 22 years, her brother Mike, a veteran, who was 32 when Amanda died, and many loving relatives and friends.

Amanda with her beloved maternal grandmother, Barb

Andi is very active in creating awareness through the Fentanyl Awareness Coalition to help other families better understand fentanyl poisoning so it won’t devastate their families.

The Fentanyl Awareness Coalition is helping families and making their voices heard so we can decrease this scourge on our children and society, which is leaving hundreds of thousands of parents and families to grieve their deaths.

Chelsea (daughter in law), Mike (brother), Rick (stepfather), my Mom and my sister, Kris Sommerfeld

Watch my interview with Andi here:

Visit The Fentanyl Awareness Coalition and its Facebook Group to learn more.

Please like, comment and share this episode with others who could benefit from it and subscribe for future episode of this series.

#death #fentanyl #fentanylpoisoning #fentanyldeaths #onepillcankill #poison #deathofadaughter #andilee #andisommerfeldlee #amandaharris #fentanylawarenesscoalition #themarymacshow #marymac #grieving #grievingchildren #griefpodcast #marymacjournals #themarymacjournalcollection #marymacjournalcollection #marymacjournals #grief #myjournal #mygriefjournal #mygratitudejournal #myremembrancejournal #grieving #death #dying #journalsbymarymac #marymacjournalcollection #themarymacshowjournalcollection

Your support of my work, through PayPal is greatly appreciated.

Visit our other sites:

https://www.MaryMac.info – our primary hub. Pick up our free ebook “21 Things You Must Know About The Grieving Process.”

https://www.TheMaryMacShow.com – for all episodes of my podcast. Join my mailing list here.

The Mary Mac Show You Tube Channel – please subscribe to our channel, like our videos and share.

https://www.GriefAuthority.com – pick up our digital book collection to download immediately upon purchase.

https://www.FoundationForGrievingChildren.org/donate/ – your donation to our cause will be a big help for hurting young ones.

Let’s Be Friends:

Facebook – Ask Mary Mac

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymccambridge/

Instagram – @themarymacshowpodcast

Twitter – @askmarymac

author, death, dying, grief, grief education, grief education podcast, grief podcast, grief podcaster, grieving journals, journals as gifts, journals as presents, journals for women, journals for writing, loss, Mary M. McCambridge, Mary Mac, mary mac journals, my gratitude journal, my grief journal, my journal, my remembrance journal, podcast for grief, podcaster, podcast for grief education, podcast for grievers, the mary mac journal collection, the mary mac show, writing

Thank you so much Andi for sharing your story and your time.

We are grateful!

xoxo

The Mary Mac Show | Death By Fentanyl Podcast Series | Steve Filson’s 29 yo Daughter Jessica

In Episode 199, I speak with Steve Filson, Secretary of Victims of Illicit Drugs (VOID) about his daughter Jessica’s death at 29 to fentanyl poisoning.

Steve is an Air Force Veteran as well as spending 31 years as a former San Bernardino County Sheriff and in the Police Department in Southern California, including eleven years in the Homicide Squad and five years in Narcotics.

We discuss Jessica’s life and how, after giving birth to her daughter, Elara, was given opioids for the pain associated with an epidural which ultimately caused her continued use of these pills. But it was a laced line of cocaine that poisoned her and Nicholas. Today, Steve and Cherie are raising their granddaughter Elara.

Jessica with daughter Elara and Boyfriend Nicholas

Unfortunately, it was Cherie, her mother, who found Jessica and her boyfriend, Nicholas.

Below is a photo of their family when Jessica was pregnant.

Steve and Cherie Filson with son Trevor and daughter Jessica
Cherie comforting Elara

We also speak about Steve’s advocacy work and the documentary by Dominic Tierno and Christine Wood entitled “Dead On Arrival” exposing the illegal drug trafficking of fentanyl from Mexico featuring four parents who tell their painful stories of how this claimed their children’s lives and the effects on their families.

Please visit the following site to learn more:

“Dead on Arrival” documentary and VOID (Victims of Illicit Drugs) – https://www.stopthevoid.org

Watch the video version of our conversation below:

Please share this episode with others who could benefit from it and like, comment and subscribe for future episode of this series.

#fentanyl #death #fentanylpoisoning #death #onepillcankill #deathofadaughter #stevefilson #jessicafilson #themarymacshow #marymac #grieving #grievingchildren #griefpodcast #marymacjournals #themarymacjournalcollection #marymacjournalcollection #marymacjournals #grief #myjournal #mygriefjournal #mygratitudejournal #myremembrancejournal #grieving #death #dying #journalsbymarymac #marymacjournalcollection #themarymacshowjournalcollection

Thank you Steve for joining me and sharing your story. I appreciate it!

xoxo

Your support of my work, through PayPal – https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=DN22KFWSZ8XY8 – is greatly appreciated.

Visit our other sites:

https://www.MaryMac.info – our primary hub. Pick up our free ebook “21 Things You Must Know About The Grieving Process.”

https://www.TheMaryMacShow.com – for all episodes of my podcast. Join my mailing list here.

The Mary Mac Show You Tube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@themarymacshow – please subscribe to our channel, like our videos and share.

https://www.GriefAuthority.com – pick up our digital book collection to download immediately upon purchase.

https://www.FoundationForGrievingChildren.org/donate/ – your donation to our cause will be a big help for hurting young ones.

author, death, dying, grief, grief education, grief education podcast, grief podcast, grief podcaster, grieving journals, journals as gifts, journals as presents, journals for women, journals for writing, loss, Mary M. McCambridge, Mary Mac, mary mac journals, my gratitude journal, my grief journal, my journal, my remembrance journal, podcast for grief, podcaster, podcast for grief education, podcast for grievers, the mary mac journal collection, the mary mac show, writing