#003 I Lost My Sister to Addiction and Chose to Fight Back

In this powerful episode of Living on Incline, host John Eklund sits down with Grayson Johnson, Miss Johnston County and founder of The Hope Project, to talk about the heartbreaking loss of her sister to opioid addiction—and the healing mission she’s carried ever since.From competing in pageants as a teenager to launching a statewide initiative focused on ending stigma, Grayson shares the raw story behind her smile. She opens up about childhood trauma, family struggles, and the burden of silence in small-town culture—and how she’s now using her voice to advocate for change, recovery, and reform.Whether you’ve been touched by addiction or just need a reminder that pain can lead to purpose, this one will stick with you.Chapters / Timestamps:0:00 – Grayson’s opening message about The Hope Project1:00 – Her sister Kinsley’s battle with addiction3:00 – The moment that changed everything5:00 – Creating The Hope Project at age 147:00 – Growing up in silence and shame9:00 – The stigma surrounding addiction12:00 – The family trauma no one talked about15:00 – What pageants taught her about advocacy18:00 – Losing her father to incarceration22:00 – The moment she almost gave up25:00 – Kinsley’s miraculous recovery—and relapse30:00 – What grief taught her about herself33:00 – Why structure and service saved her37:00 – The power of showing up vulnerable41:00 – Living on a mission, not for applause45:00 – What’s next: Law school and legislative change49:00 – How sharing her story helps others heal52:00 – Final encouragement to anyone grieving addictionListen and Follow Living on InclineListen on your favorite platform:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/living-on-incline/id1828304603Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/78HwNrRWZHGAHL8Zv90nO0?si=e4b5d032e9214debYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZdyfS2K4OE4WFJRWSuAgsQRSS Feed: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2521959.rssWebsite: https://www.livingonincline.comSponsored by Recovery AliveLiving on Incline is proudly sponsored by Recovery Alive, a Christ-centered recovery program helping people find hope, healing, and purpose through authentic community and biblical transformation.Learn more: https://www.recoveryalive.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/recoveryaliveinc/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/recoveryaliveincYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@recoveryalive#LivingOnIncline #RecoveryAlive #GraysonJohnson #TheHopeProject #AddictionRecovery #OverdoseAwareness #EndTheStigma #MissJohnstonCounty #FromGriefToPurpose #OpioidCrisis #FaithAndHealing #ChristianPodcast #VulnerabilityIsPower #FightForHopeSend us Fan Mail